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Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools
It was my privilege join this week with colleagues from the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools to introduce their important new report, "Beyond the Schoolhouse: Digging Deeper."
It takes a closer look at the challenges facing Black students in LA County documented in the 2019 "Beyond the Schoolhouse."
That earlier report was motivational and prompted LACOE to spearhead development of the guide "Supporting the African American Learner," released earlier this year.
Both publications are incredibly timely and relevant. We need only turn on the evening news to see the tragic impact of systemic, institutional racism on our communities.
They are invaluable tools to guide us as we recover from the pandemic and work to address its disproportionate impact on students of color in a way that truly makes a difference for our most vulnerable students.
I invite you to read both publications, take their advice to heart and join in the effort to reimagine our public schools.
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LA County Public Health: Protocols for Limited Services: Appendix W (4/2/21) — For home-based education services, see page 6 “Special Considerations for Businesses That Require Entry into Residential Buildings”
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In a series of communications to the field (listed below), the CDE confirmed last week that the U.S. Department of Education would not require a waiver request from California for summative assessments based on their stated understanding that the state is administering all its required assessments and that “all school districts will be required to administer the statewide summative assessments except in any instances where the State concludes it is not viable to administer the assessment because of the pandemic.”
The CDE further stated that where it is the most viable option, they expect that LEAs will administer the statewide summative assessments. The CDE also noted, however, that where a statewide summative assessment is not the most viable option for an LEA (or, within an LEA, for one or more grade levels), the LEA may report results from a locally determined assessment that meets the criteria established by the State Board of Education on March 16.
Any locally selected assessment must meet the following four criteria:
- Aligned with California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics;
- Available to assess students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11;
- Uniformly administered across a grade span, school or district; and
- Provides results that can be reported to parents/guardians, educators about individual students and to the public by school and district, disaggregated by student group.
The U.S. Department of Education also confirmed that California does not need to pursue a general waiver for the California Science Test because the state will continue to provide the test to all LEAs, with the same understanding that administration may not be a viable option for all LEAs. If not viable, there is no need to administer an alternative local assessment.
Emergency regulations for the California Assessment of Student Progress and Performance and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California, which allow extending the summative testing windows through July 30, 2021, were approved by the Office of Administrative Law.
Please note that the flexibilities outlined for CAASPP administration do not apply to the summative ELPAC. The summative ELPAC must be administered to all English learners.
LACOE and the CDE commit to providing timely updates regarding assessment. LACOE will send updates both in writing and in person through the District Assessment and Accountability Network. CDE provides updates through their weekly Office Hours or Coffee Chats, as well as in writing through CDE communications and the Assessment Spotlight.
LACOE conducted an informal survey of districts to gauge what they are thinking about in terms of administering the CAASPP ELA/Math this spring. Their responses:
- Yes, we will administer for all relevant grade levels: 19
- Yes, but only for some grade levels: 14
- No, we will be administering a local alternative assessment: 29
Resources:
- Communications between CDE and U.S. Department of Education —
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April 2 letter from SBE President Darling-Hammond and SSI Thurmond to USDOE seeking written confirmation regarding California’s plan for assessment is here
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April 6 letter from USDOE to SBE President and SSI regarding approval of federal accountability waiver is here
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April 6 letter from USDOE to SBE President and SSI regarding submission of waiver for assessment is here
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The U.S. Department of Education has released a new COVID-19 handbook that outlines additional school reopening strategies. The document also provides guidance that seeks to promote educational equity and address opportunity gaps that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
The handbook identifies strategies that states, districts, schools and communities can use when implementing funding they have received from the American Rescue Plan, which invests $130 billion in safely reopening schools, sustaining safe in-person operation and addressing the impact of COVID-19.
Each section in the handbook provides strategies and considerations for meeting the needs of underserved students. Topics covered include:
- Providing school meals regardless of educational setting
- Meeting the social, emotional and mental health needs of students
- Providing all students with access to a safe and inclusive learning environment
- Accelerating learning through in-classroom instructional approaches, tutoring and expanded learning time
- Supporting equitable access and effective use of technology for teaching and learning
- Using data about students' opportunities to help target resources and support
- Addressing resource inequities
- Stabilizing a diverse and qualified educator workforce
- Supporting educator and staff well-being
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Dual Enrollment Offering for Title I Schools |
LACOE and its Greater LA Education Foundation have partnered with the National Education Equity Lab to make their program freely available to eligible LA County schools.
The National Education Equity Lab offers credit-bearing courses from institutions including Harvard, Howard, Cornell, Arizona State and others.
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Health & Wellness Conference |
LACOE’s Tobacco-Use Prevention Education unit will host the 2nd Annual Health & Wellness Conference on Wednesday, April 21. Keynote presentations and breakout sessions will highlight various components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model.
Please click here for more information about the sessions, which focus on local school wellness policy requirements and best practices to support student social emotional health through nutrition education.
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California Senate budget leaders on April 14 released their Build Back Boldly plan, which lays out their proposals for the final 2021-22 state budget.
Following are the plan’s K-12 education proposals:
- Provide record level of one-time and ongoing resources to schools, as the Proposition 98 guarantee grows with the rebounding economy
- Ensure long-term stability of local schools —
- Maximize pay-down of deferrals, while balancing need for new one-time investments.
- Provide additional support for school pension stabilization.
- Provide supports for mental health, learning loss and other pandemic-related impacts by leveraging education and health policies
- Increase school nutrition support to better ensure all students are better able to learn.
- Expand funding for Special Education programs.
In addition, the plan proposes the first step to “0-3” universal access to early care and education by:
- Making a significant investment for up to an additional 200,000 childcare slots for working families as next step toward universal access for ages 0 to 3
- Establishing child-care worker apprenticeship/training program
- Reducing cost to working families by reducing/eliminating family fees
- Increasing rates to achieve livable wage for child-care workers
- Stabilizing and retaining providers as the state emerges from the pandemic —
- Support providers that have remained open during the pandemic by continuing hold harmless policies
- Provide one-time funds to help providers re-open or expand
- Retain essential worker families in the child-care system
In addition, other key proposals in the plan include debt-free college, additional stimulus grants to small businesses and non-profits and expanding access to California Food Assistance Program and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants to Californians regardless of immigration status.
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District leaders have shared that additional planning and implementation support for summer learning is vital in making it as effective as possible.
LACOE and its Greater LA Education Foundation along with the Partnership for Children and Youth will launch a new community of practice in the coming weeks to help prepare for summer learning.
Participating districts will gain intimate access to statewide leaders in expanded learning and summer enrichment. They will also have dedicated time for collaborative planning with their internal team and colleagues from neighboring districts, access to original planning tools, budgeting resources, roadmaps and hands-on guidance and implementation support through the summer and transitions into the new school year.
Participation in the network is free, but space is limited. Applications are due April 30; early submissions will be prioritized.
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Resources for Districts & Schools |
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Resources for Educators During the Derek Chauvin Trial (LACOE) click here
Wellbeing for LA Learning Center (DMH/UCLA) click here
Child Abuse Prevention Month Social Media Toolkit (DCFS) click here
Guidance for Early Care & Education Providers (LACDPH) click here
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