OCDE Education in the News

Friday, April 3, 2020

OCDE NEWSROOM

2020 Census: step up and be counted, or help others do so

As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the federal Census Bureau conducts a nationwide population count once every 10 years. This is one of the few national activities the American public does together. It’s also easy, confidential and critically important to our students and their communities. Along with establishing the number of congressional seats and electoral votes for each state, census data serves as the basis for deciding how approximately $900 billion in federal funds are spent annually, impacting education, housing, public safety and other vital services.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/2020-census-step-up-and-be-counted-or-help-others-do-so/

COVID-19 update: Health officials issue new guidance on wearing face coverings in public

OCDE continues to track the latest developments related to the COVID-19 respiratory illness while working closely with partner agencies including the Orange County Health Care Agency and local school districts.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/coronavirus-update/

This website helps essential workers find open child care sites

Early Childhood OC is maintaining a list of open child care sites for essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis. The searchable database features child care centers and family child care homes that are currently open and serving children from birth through age 12. The site, which includes resources for payment assistance, will be updated every Friday.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/theres-a-website-to-help-essential-workers-find-open-childcare-sites/

Updated: Here’s a rundown of OC school closures and grab-and-go meal schedules

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Orange County public schools have temporarily closed campuses to students. Here’s a look at the latest school closure timelines and grab-and-go meal schedules.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/these-oc-districts-are-offering-grab-and-go-meals-at-a-campus-near-you/

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Coronavirus: UC system suspends SAT/ACT requirements for 2021 applicants

The University of California is drastically relaxing its fall 2021 admissions standards for applicants who are currently high school juniors, including suspending the requirement that they take standardized tests and allowing pass/fail grades for this spring’s classes affected by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a university announcement Wednesday.

https://www.ocregister.com/2020/04/02/coronavirus-uc-system-suspends-sat-act-requirements-for-2021-applicants/

DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES

Teachers union pushes back on LAUSD distance-learning methods amid coronavirus outbreak

Powerful teachers union United Teachers Los Angeles demanded more leeway from the Los Angeles Unified School District Thursday to conduct remote learning during potentially prolonged campus closures due to the coronavirus epidemic.

https://www.dailynews.com/2020/04/02/teachers-union-pushes-back-on-lausd-distance-learning-methods-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/

SACRAMENTO BEE

Gavin Newsom planned a $222 billion state budget. It’ll be ‘radically changed’ by coronavirus

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he is going back to the drawing board for his budget proposal, abandoning the $222 billion plan he laid out in January as the coronavirus pandemic hammers the state’s economy. “The January budget is no longer operable,” Newsom said during a news conference Thursday. “The world has radically changed since the January budget was proposed, so everything is on the table.”

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article241731126.html

Newsom announces agreement between teachers and school officials amid closures

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a major agreement Wednesday between teachers and school management that provides guidance on pay, benefits and distance learning. The framework, which is not a directive, was agreed upon by teachers, classified employees, school boards, superintendents and principals. It will allow more students to receive school resources as schools remain closed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/education/article241716936.html

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE

How should schools give grades during the COVID-19 closures?

Many school districts and charter schools are thinking of changing how they grade, now that schools that have been closed for weeks are switching instruction to online. Wednesday night the California Department of Education released long-awaited guidance on how schools should address grading during this time of at-home learning. Grading, especially during widespread school closures, brings up several questions of equity and fairness, educators have said.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/story/2020-04-02/how-should-schools-give-grades-during-covid

EDSOURCE

First few weeks of remote teaching is learning experience for teachers and students

With California schools remaining closed longer than initially anticipated in response to the coronavirus pandemic, most districts are planning to start more formal distance learning programs in April, after their spring break.

https://edsource.org/2020/first-few-weeks-of-remote-teaching-is-learning-experience-for-teachers-and-students/627956

'It’s a Small World': Orange County teachers inspire deaf and hard of hearing students [VIDEO]

Sometimes, an email just isn’t enough. Students at an Orange County school for deaf and hard of hearing received a specially-made video from their teachers this week, saying how much they are missed during the school closures. Set to “It’s a Small World,” the 2:20-minute video features teachers in Disneyland attire — while sheltering-in-place at home — singing, signing and smiling for their students.

https://edsource.org/2020/its-a-small-world-orange-county-teachers-inspire-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-students-video/627974

Teacher Voices: Teachers should seize this moment to connect with their students

This is a teachable moment. We are living history today. Now is an opportunity to reflect within the moment. For one generation, the defining moment of their lives was the assassination of John F. Kennedy, for another 9/11. For this generation of young people, the coronavirus crisis will be the marker of everything that was before and how now everything is different.

https://edsource.org/2020/teachers-should-seize-this-moment-to-connect-with-their-students/627490

NPR

9 Out Of 10 Children Are Out Of School Worldwide. What Now?

Right now students are out of school in 185 countries. According to UNESCO, that's roughly 9 out of 10 schoolchildren worldwide. The world has never seen a school shutdown on this scale. And not since Great Britain during World War II has such a long-term, widespread emptying of classrooms come to a rich country.

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/02/824964864/nine-out-of-10-of-the-world-s-children-are-out-of-school-what-now

CALmatters

How to help students during coronavirus lockdown

In a Wednesday virtual Q&A hosted by CalMatters, two of California’s top education leaders gave parents and teachers advice on how to educate students while schools remain physically closed. Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the State Board of Education, and Cindy Marten, superintendent of San Diego Unified, the state’s second-largest school district, answered questions about special education, bridging connectivity gaps and advice for parents homeschooling their kids.

https://calmatters.org/education/2020/04/how-to-help-students-during-coronavirus-lockdown/

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