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Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools
Today LACOE released a new report, "Rising from COVID-19: Recovery, Resilience and Acceleration."
Our aim is to initiate informed action to address setbacks in student learning and well-being caused by campus closures and an extended period of distance instruction due to the pandemic.
While COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on so many of our students and families, I see a silver lining. We have the chance to seize this moment to transform an education system that has persistently left behind far too many of our low-income students and young people of color.
Districts and schools can't do it alone. We will harness the power of partnership, with the report serving as a model for collaborative leadership to challenge conventional thinking and deliver on the promise of equity.
I look forward to partnering with LA County's amazing education leaders and community on this important work.
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Youth Sports:
COVID Testing —
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Q: Does a youth athlete have to test multiple times if they are being routinely tested and have a competition to meet the 24-hour test result requirement?
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A: No. If the youth athlete is being tested weekly (PCR or antigen) then that weekly testing is sufficient and meets the testing requirements for that week and any competitions held during that week.
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Q: Does a specimen have to be collected 24 hours prior to competition?
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A: No. The result, not the specimen collection, must be available 24 hours prior to competition. If the youth athlete is being tested weekly (PCR or antigen) then that weekly testing is sufficient and meets the testing requirements for that week and any competitions during that week.
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AB 86: School Reopening Legislation |
AB 86 provides $2 billion for in-person instruction grants and $4.6 billion for expanded learning. Following is a clarification regarding the bill's penalty provision.
In-person instruction grants will support:
- COVID-19 testing
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Personal protective equipment
- Ventilation and other school site upgrades necessary for health and safety
- Salaries for certificated or classified employees providing in-person instruction or services
- Social and mental health support services
Penalty provisions in the bill pertain to the in-person instruction grants and would apply as follows:
- From April 1 to May 15, 2021, an LEA must offer in-person instruction (and continue through the school calendar in effect on March 1, 2021).
- An LEA’s apportionment shall be reduced by one percent for each instructional day in the school calendar that the local educational agency does not provide in-person instruction (unless ordered by a public health officer). § 43521(c)(2).
- If an LEA does not provide in-person instruction pursuant to the requirements above by May 15, 2021, it shall forfeit all funds in this program. § 43521(c)(2).
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Accountability, Support & Monitoring |
LACOE's Center for District Capacity Building will offer a special MTSS Overview Webinar on March 24 at 1 pm. This opportunity has been designed for district and site leaders who will gain an overview of the CA MTSS framework and how to leverage tiered academic, behavioral and social-emotional supports for all students in distance learning, hybrid settings and in transition to in-person learning.
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The House of Representatives on Feb. 27 passed the $1.9 trillion "American Rescue Plan," which is now in the Senate for its consideration.
Senate Democrats on March 3 released their amendments to the bill. The updated bill allocates $129 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund with $3 billion in funding redirected to private schools that serve a "significant percentage" of low-income students.
Senators are expected to hear this bill when the finalized text and Congressional Budget Office scores are published. Once the Senate passes the bill, it will need to go back to the House for a vote next week before it gets placed on President Biden’s desk for signature.
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Early Childhood Education community call on March 5:
The LA County Early Childhood Education COVID-19 Response Team will hold a community call for ECE providers on Friday, March 5, from 9-10 am. Representatives from County Public Health and Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles will provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccine for ECE providers. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers.
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LACOE’s Reading Language Arts unit is excited to offer two new events this month to address the issues around accelerating learning in literacy — one for elementary and one for secondary as the issues/ practical application are different. The target audience is administrators and instructional coaches given the session will provide a systems and aerial view to help school leaders support teachers going forward.
Both sessions will be recorded. If unable to attend, register for the event to receive the recording that will be sent to all registrants.
Planning for Reading Acceleration, Grades K-5: 3 Next Steps — March 24, 9-10:15 am
The disruption caused by the pandemic has created an opportunity for educators to rethink traditional models of instruction. As students are preparing to return to campus, schools and districts are planning for how best to meet students’ reading needs. Come learn about three key aspects of how to accelerate learning in reading instruction that will support efforts for the current and next school year.
Planning for Literacy Acceleration, Grades 6-12: 3 Next Steps — March 31, 9-10:15 am
As schools and districts are considering returning to campus, they are planning for how best to meet students’ literacy needs. Learn about three key strategies for accelerating learning across literacy instructional domains. Examine specific assessments needed in secondary schools, along with key practices in the CCSS domains that can remediate learning losses and get students back on track.
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New resource:
In response to AB104 (now AB86/SB86), LACOE's Expanded Learning Technical Assistance unit has created a Planning Tool to help district-, charter- and CBO-operated Expanded Learning Programs address student learning loss in partnership with their LEA.
The planning tool guides programs funded with ASES, 21st CCLC and ASSETs grants to showcase how and what they do aligns with the intent of the SB86/AB86 Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant, which is to provide quality expanded learning opportunities to K-12 students in summer and throughout the year, while supporting families, in partnership with districts, charters and schools throughout California.
Highlights of the four-page document include:
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A strategy to advocate for potential partnerships with their respective LEA and inclusion in the LCAP addendum
- A list of recommended topics and questions to consider prior to and during conversations with the LEA
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LACOE Foster Youth Services Upcoming Events page for the month of March includes trainings and webinars on a wide variety of topics, including trauma-informed practices, self-care and reopening of schools (for caregivers of students in foster care).
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Nutrition and Meal Service |
Pandemic-EBT 2.0:
LEAs are encouraged to work with eligible families to ensure student mailing addresses are up-to-date and uploaded into CALPADS for eligible students to receive P-EBT benefits this school year. The CDE is requesting student information to be updated in CALPADS by March 12.
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'Voices of Change: Still We Rise' Webinar |
Educational Theatre, in support of Kaiser Permanente's equity, inclusion and diversity efforts, will offer a free performance-based exploration of the beauty, unrest and "two-ness" of the Black experience in America, expressed through the work of Black authors, poets, activists, artists and leaders. Suitable for anyone over the age of 9, the event aims for communities to feel inspired and seen, wanting to learn more and do better.
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Youth Employment Opportunity |
The LA County Dept. of Parks and Recreation is recruiting now for lifeguards to work at 40 swimming pools and 23 splash pads. The department is looking for team members who are strong swimmers to assist in maintaining a safe environment, provide surveillance of the pool and teach swim lessons. Applicants must be age 17 or older by June 1, 2021.
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Resources for Districts & Schools |
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Rising from COVID-19: Recovery, Resilience and Acceleration (LACOE) click here
Supporting the African American Learner (LACOE) click here
ED COVID-19 Handbook Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools (USDOE) click here
LA County Public Health Safe Schools for All click here
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