Michael W. Kirst discusses the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the CA overhaul of accountability based on local control of education policy. The federal law requires multiple measures for accountability, including some with state choice. Databases for English learners will change significantly. Federal requirements for teacher evaluation will be deregulated significantly. State assessments are all over the place and will be hard to summarize. California is building an integrated federal/state/local accountability system that includes 23 metrics, primarily for local use in Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAP) that focus on improving budget strategy. Longitudinal data bases from the past will be difficult to integrate with these policy shifts.

Researchers consider the transformative changes in teacher evaluation systems following the Race to the Top initiative, emphasizing the adoption of multiple performance measures such as value-added measures and classroom observations. While the majority of states and districts underwent revisions, California notably abstained from statewide reforms. Despite the spotlight on using student test scores, most teachers' ratings primarily stem from classroom observations, especially those teaching non-tested subjects. Initially lacking evidence, recent studies, notably the Excellence in Teaching Project in Chicago Public Schools, reveal that in-depth teacher evaluations focusing on classroom interactions can enhance teaching practices and, consequently, student outcomes. However, these advancements require substantial time commitments from observers, typically principals, and teachers, coupled with comprehensive training and ongoing support. Crucially, while these evaluations demonstrated positive impacts overall, schools facing lower performance and higher poverty witnessed less progress, underscoring the necessity for added resources and support. As California deliberates its evaluation system revisions, researchers urge policymakers to prioritize resources and support for comprehensive teacher evaluations, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering student achievement.

Researchers conducted an experiment to determine if incentives could improve low-income students' attendance in tutoring programs provided through Supplemental Education Services (SEdS). Three groups of 5th-8th graders were formed: one offered a $100 reward for regular attendance, another receiving certificates of recognition, and a control group without incentives. Surprisingly, the monetary reward didn't increase attendance, while the certificate group attended 40% more sessions than the control. This contrasts with past studies showing monetary incentives for improved test scores as ineffective, suggesting that mere rewards may not enhance skills without additional support. The certificate approach proved cost-effective, costing $9 per student versus $100 for the monetary incentive. However, wider implementation's effectiveness might diminish due to students' varied perceptions of recognition's value, related to existing academic achievements or repeated rewards. The study's success suggests non-monetary incentives are effective and inexpensive. Policymakers and educators seeking to boost student participation in underutilized programs should consider these findings, emphasizing nuanced research into varying incentives' effectiveness and cost-efficiency to motivate student engagement. Despite these promising results, a comprehensive solution requires a deeper understanding of how different incentives affect diverse student populations and their sustained impact over time.

Schools face the dual responsibility of educating children and providing health services to over a million students in California with special health care needs (SHCN). These students are at higher risk of academic struggles and absenteeism. However, schools often lack awareness of these students’ conditions, neglecting their unique health needs. The absence of specific regulations leaves decisions about health services and staffing to individual districts. Alarmingly, 57% of districts in 2013 had no school nurses, while those with nurses had ratios far exceeding recommended levels. In the absence of nurses, unlicensed staff handle critical health procedures. The lack of state guidance and dedicated funding exacerbates these challenges. To address this, California should mandate systematic identification and care for students with SHCN, track health emergencies, monitor attendance and educational outcomes, and ensure standardized training for all staff delivering health services. These steps could safeguard the health and academic success of all students, aligning with the proven link between health and academic performance.

The shortage of women in STEM fields has sparked considerable attention due to its impact on the STEM workforce. Despite being the majority in colleges, women remain a minority among STEM degree holders, leading researchers to focus on their underrepresentation in these critical fields. The prevailing literature primarily examines the influence of college faculty gender on STEM outcomes, neglecting the crucial pre-college setting's role in shaping students' STEM choices. This NSF-funded study, using data from North Carolina public schools and universities, delves into the impact of the gender composition of high school math and science teachers on students' decisions to pursue STEM majors in college. Findings indicate a notable positive effect of a higher proportion of female math and science teachers on the likelihood of female students declaring and graduating with STEM degrees, particularly among those with strong math skills. This influence doesn't extend to male students, suggesting that schools with more female STEM teachers positively disrupt stereotypes, making STEM fields more appealing specifically to high-skilled young women without significantly affecting their male counterparts. The research highlights the significance of early educational opportunities challenging gender stereotypes in math and science, potentially cultivating a larger cohort of women pursuing STEM careers and challenging outdated perceptions about STEM being unsuitable for women.

Addressing the academic achievement gap among minority and low socioeconomic status students, especially in majority-minority states like California and Texas, has gained attention regarding language variety as a potential factor. A study reviewed by Educational Policy presents recommendations for state policymakers based on a Texas Legislature-commissioned study. This study urges recognizing students who speak language varieties other than standard English as Standard English Learners (SELs), highlighting their unique educational needs. The expert panel offers five key recommendations: enhancing educators’ understanding of language diversity, teaching strategies for students to acquire standard English, integrating language variety into curricula, and fostering a tolerant environment among stakeholders. The study emphasizes the necessity of increasing teacher capacity to identify and support SELs in classrooms, proposing considerations and strategies for states or local education agencies (LEAs) to design effective programs and policies. The report advocates for legislative and administrative actions to equip teachers for specialized instruction to meet the needs of SELs and ensure policy success.

In the months leading up to high school graduation in California, seniors excitedly anticipate the transition to college or the workforce. However, unforeseen financial and procedural obstacles often jeopardize the college plans of diligent students, resulting in what's termed "summer melt." Research, drawing on national surveys and urban school district data, reveals that 10 to 40 percent of college-intending students fail to enroll after being accepted, especially impacting low-income students and perpetuating socioeconomic disparities. The complexities of post-acceptance tasks, primarily linked to college financing, pose significant barriers. Students face challenges securing additional funds to bridge financial aid gaps and navigating bureaucratic hurdles, lacking guidance during the crucial summer period. Fortunately, interventions during this time have shown promise. Low-cost initiatives, like counselor-led support and text messaging campaigns providing task reminders and links, yielded substantial enrollment increases of 5 to 15 percent. These summer interventions, notably cost-effective compared to other college supports, present a crucial opportunity to assist low-income students. By investing in targeted information and counseling during this window, substantial strides can be made in enhancing college access for these hardworking individuals.

Policymakers aim to boost four-year college attendance for disadvantaged students who often end up in less advantageous two-year colleges. Navigating complex college procedures without parental guidance poses challenges. Traditional counseling falls short due to time constraints and individualized approaches. Chicago Public Schools introduced a coaching model focusing solely on postsecondary plans, engaging students proactively, fostering relationships, and utilizing group sessions. Studying students post-high school revealed gaps in the enrollment process, especially among Latino and low-SES students. Encouraging completion of college-related tasks bridged these gaps, increasing specific plans and enrollment chances. Schools with coaches saw higher rates of students attending four-year colleges, particularly benefiting low-SES and Latino students. However, questions linger about neglecting high achievers, early intervention's impact, and long-term college persistence effects. New research underscores that group advising, like the coach program, may enhance educational outcomes for disadvantaged students, promising potential improvements in the future.

English language learners (ELLs) surge in K–12 enrollment, especially in regions with historically low numbers of ELLs, intensifying the shortage of qualified bilingual/ESL teachers in states like Arizona. Budget constraints push ELLs into mainstream classrooms, often lacking specialized teachers, with nearly 50% receiving minimal or no special services due to limited teacher certification. A new study debates the necessity of specialists for this population, advocating for their effectiveness in nurturing language, literacy, and content development. Specialized training must embrace ELLs' linguistic and cultural contributions to content learning, encourage multilingual practices, and counter negative narratives. Arizona’s generic training for all teachers shows no positive impact, whereas states like California and Illinois requiring specialist training witness improved classroom outcomes. Specialist training is pivotal for equitable and effective instruction for ELLs.

The recent Interim Status Report on district financial health isn't surprising, indicating 13 districts can't meet obligations this year or the next. An additional 97 face the same problem in the current or subsequent fiscal years, albeit down from last year. However, this report doesn't reflect potential loss of temporary tax revenues or the proposed multi-billion dollar funding deferral. Notably, federal stimulus funds, especially beneficial for districts with more students in poverty, are diminishing. These funds cushioned reductions in district revenue and program cuts. As these funds dwindle, it disproportionately impacts districts with more economically disadvantaged students, who require additional resources. The loss of stimulus funds intensifies the struggle for these districts, significantly affecting their educational resources. In Los Angeles, a recent educational summit aimed to rekindle support for public education. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stressed the need for a new labor relationship and urged a data-driven approach to evaluate student performance and teacher effectiveness. The loss of these funds could further strain districts already facing financial instability. This impending financial strain is particularly concerning for districts serving economically disadvantaged students, highlighting the challenges they will face in providing adequate educational resources.

Diversity in education has evolved through tolerance, acceptance, and celebration but now integrates into the essence of teaching and learning. Recognizing unique identities, educators embrace differences, transforming education. California's educators incorporate diverse perspectives into teaching methods, curriculum design, and partnerships, honoring varied experiences. This evolution surpasses mere cultural nods, aiming to intertwine diversity into the fabric of education. Teachers navigate sensitivity, heterodoxy, and intersectionality, fostering inclusive learning. The focus remains on promoting pluralism without compromising academic rigor or ethical standards. The handbook "Studying Diversity in Teacher Education" underscores these progressive concepts, advocating their timely implementation across educational landscapes.

Smart Money examines how successful school districts allocate resources linked to higher student achievement. It suggests integrating student achievement goals into labor negotiations between school management and unions. Currently, talks primarily revolve around wages and employment conditions, overshadowing student success. Advocating a transformative shift in labor law, the book proposes making student achievement a mandatory negotiation topic. This change aims to align budgeting with educational goals, prompting discussions on resource impact. It resists prescribing specific goals but encourages discussions, prompting both sides to consider how funds affect achievement. This approach broadens goals beyond test scores to encompass graduation rates, language proficiency, and authentic assessments. Incorporating student achievement goals in labor contracts could gradually reshape practices without disrupting established structures. The change aims to enhance educational outcomes in bargaining discussions while maintaining negotiation processes.

For nearly three decades, PACE has facilitated discussions on California's education policies by integrating academic research into key policy challenges. Traditionally, this involved publishing policy briefs, organizing seminars, and producing the annual 'Conditions of Education in California' report, offering comprehensive data and analysis on the state's education system. The launch of "Conditions of Education in California" as a blog marks a shift to engage a wider audience and enable ongoing updates. This platform, authored by PACE-affiliated researchers across California, aims to share new data, compelling research findings, and insights on current legislation and policies. The objective remains fostering informed discussions on education policy challenges in California, now extending the conversation to policymakers, educators, and citizens. This inclusive dialogue is crucial to drive the necessary policy understanding and momentum for improving the state's education system.