June 28, 2021 | EdCal

Research supports ‘restorative restart’ for schools. A new report from PACE lays out 14 “restorative actions” educators should take in the 2021-22 school year to welcome students back and begin the foundational work for creating change within school systems.“Restorative Restart...

Time, Talent, Training, and Technology/Materials
Commentary authors
Summary

Schools are preparing for full in-person instruction amid ongoing pandemic challenges, emphasizing the urgency of addressing heightened student academic and wellness needs. State and federal funding provide unprecedented resources to aid recovery and transformation. PACE's recent report, "Restorative Restart: The Path Towards Reimagining and Rebuilding Schools," offers 14 action areas to address students' holistic needs, focusing on relationships, wellness, and engagement. To support planning and budgeting for a restorative restart, the report introduces the "Four Ts" framework: Time (extending instructional hours, planning time), Talent (adding staff to support students), Training (professional development for new approaches), and Technology/Materials (ensuring equitable access to devices and tools). The framework, adaptable to local needs, aids in discussions and planning for districts to implement restorative actions effectively while aligning with the report's action areas.

Commentary author
Oscar Jiménez-Castellanos
Summary

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected English learners (ELs) across participation rates, learning setbacks, health concerns, and parental disconnection. California's plan to reopen K–12 schools in fall 2021 coincides with a $15.3 billion influx from the American Rescue Plan to assist in reopening safely and address student needs. Each district must outline their use of these funds by June 1, 2021, with 20 percent dedicated to tackling learning loss. To benefit ELs, ten evidence-based recommendations are proposed. These include comprehensive fund use, leveraging cultural assets, tailored support, high-quality programs addressing language and culture, multilingual health services, parent engagement, educator training, reduced class sizes, and hybrid learning models. The piece emphasizes learning from past funding mistakes to provide progressive and equitable education for all, emphasizing the diverse needs of ELs in California's public schools.

April 30, 2021 | EdSource

Like a Category 4 hurricane, Covid-19 has undermined the state’s newly built California School Dashboard and system of state and county support for schools deemed to need help for poor performance. It could be a few years before the system...

April 30, 2021 | The Free Lance-Star

The ability to read fluently and comprehend what you read is, hands down, the most important academic skill a child needs to master to be successful in school and later in adult life. There is no substitute for a lack...