Sept. 3rd
Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools

Yesterday's decision by the LA County Department of Public Health to allow in-school services for small groups of students with special needs starting on Sept. 14 is very encouraging.

Our students with special needs and English Learners are among the most vulnerable during this time of distance learning. I applaud Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer for acknowledging the challenges facing educators in ensuring all our students receive the services they need and deserve to succeed in school.

I sense districts countywide welcome this opportunity to provide vital services and will ensure that Public Health protocols and directives are strictly followed. Please reach out to LACOE if you need guidance on these directives.
Public Health Update

  • To report a public health complaint or violation, contact the LA County Dept. of Public Health customer call center at 888-700-9995 (M-F, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm) File an online complaint
 
  • Bus Transportation: If transportation is specified in a student’s IEP, then transportation is also to be provided when the student receives services/support through a small group/cohort. Any time bus transportation is provided, County DPH Protocols for Schools must be followed: 
  • Measures are in place to ensure physical distancing of students on school buses. These must include: 
  • A maximum of one child per bus seat 
  • Use of alternating rows
 
  • Cohort Substitute: If a staff person must go home sick or is absent, California DPH guidance states substitute providers who are covering for short-term staff absences are allowed but must only work with one cohort of children per day.
Accountability, Support & Monitoring
Remote ELPAC testing guidance:

Test administration guidelines for the fall Initial English Language Proficiency Assessments for California and the optional administration of the Summative ELPAC have been posted.  

Complete descriptions of the different options for administering the assessments, stakeholder communications and directions for LEAs, test examiners, parents/guardians and students are located at this web page.
Curriculum & Instruction
Physical Education update:

Instruction in physical education is required during the 2020-21 school year.  

The requirements specified in Education Code sections 51210(a)(7), 51220(d), 51222 and 51223 (related to minimum instructional minutes in physical education for grades 1-12) are waived. The requirements specified in Education Code section 51241(b)(2) (related to providing adequate facilities for physical education courses) are waived.

This does not change the requirement that instruction in physical education be provided to students. Teachers (those responsible for providing instruction in Physical Education, including classroom, special education and physical education teachers) must continue to provide quality instruction using evidence-based learning strategies, effective tools and appropriate resources that will meet the cognitive, physical, emotional and social learning needs of all students.

Districts that are on a Federal Program Monitoring cycle this year should note this may be an area where FPM requires evidence of instruction.

For more information regarding Physical Education requirements email Tonya Moore.

Series on engaging African American parents:

LACOE’s Equity, Access and Curriculum Support unit will host “Engaging African American Parents: Providing Leadership for Establishing African American Parent Advisory Councils,” Sept. 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7, from 3:00–5:00 pm via Zoom.

The four-session professional development series will focus on steps that school and district leaders can take to establish African American Parent Advisory Councils:

  • Sept. 16: AAPAC Purpose, School/District Priorities, AAPAC Governing Documents, e.g. Bylaws, District and Site Representative Responsibilities, Pre-Survey 
  • Sept. 23: Understanding District Funding Sources, LCFF/LCAP, AAPAC Funding, District/Site Representation 
  • Sept. 30: Action Planning to Establish the AAPAC, AAPAC Vision, Mission and Priorities 
  • Oct. 7: AAPAC Family Engagement Action Plan, Post-Survey
Foster Youth
Assembly Bill 1962:

AB 1962 was signed by the governor in 2018. It states, "no later than the 2020-21 fiscal year" the definition of foster youth, for purposes of the Local Control Funding Formula, will expand to include youth who are dependents under the jurisdiction of tribal courts (referred to as tribal foster youth) that meet specified requirements. Since these tribal foster youth are not under the jurisdiction of the California juvenile court system and their information is not collected on a statewide level, nor will such information be collected in the future, LEAs must collect this information at the local level and report it to the CDE.

  
FYS Regional Learning Networks:

LACOE’s Foster Youth Services Coordinating Programs holds Regional Learning Network meetings for districts and community-based organizations. 

Request a free training or submit a general inquiry. An FYS staff member will respond.
Human Resources
Classified nutritional services, custodial and transportation employees cannot be laid off in the 2020-21 school year. While discouraged, other classified employees can be laid off following the statutory 60-day timeline due to lack of work or lack of funds.

Submit questions to HRSLABORRELATIONS@lacoe.edu
Nutrition and Meal Service
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture recently extended several nationwide waivers that will allow LEAs to serve free meals to all children through Dec. 31, 2020. For more information, please visit:
State Budget
SB 820 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review), a budget trailer bill relating to education finance, passed the legislature on Aug. 31. The bill is now pending the Governor’s action and will be effective immediately upon his signature.

SB 115 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review) also passed the legislature on Aug. 31. This is the “budget bill junior” associated with the Budget Act of 2020 that contains appropriations for the entire 2020-21 state budget.

The bill makes the following technical amendments to K-12 education and early education:

  • Appropriates $4.6 million in federal funds for Preschool Development Block Grant activities and provides $388,000 in reimbursement authority to the CDE to support the program activities.  
  • Appropriates $2.5 million in one-time General Fund and $8.6 million in one-time federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funds to cover an extension of family fee waivers through Aug. 31, 2020.  
  • Amends appropriations for a variety of federal education programs to reflect available one-time carryover and changes to federal grant awards.

The bill is also now pending the Governor’s action and will be effective immediately upon his signature.
Teachers of the Year
It's a virtual celebration this year to honor the 2020-21 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year. Join LACOE in honoring the county’s top teachers who have risen to the challenge of the pandemic and are making a difference for students. The virtual event is set for Oct. 1 at 4pm. Look for details in the near future.
Resources for Districts & Schools
Distance Learning FAQ (CDE) click here

A Planning Framework for the 2020-21 School year - 2nd Edition (LACOE) click here

Strategic Communications Templates for the 2020-21 School Year click here

120 Digital Resources for Home-Schooling (TEACH.com) click here
African American teen girl wearing headphones learning language online_ using laptop_ looking at screen_ doing school tasks at home_ writing notes_ listening to lecture or music_ distance education