OCDE Education in the News

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

OCDE NEWSROOM

What students and families need to know about career technical education

Aerospace engineering, graphic design, culinary arts and neuropsychology are just a few of the potential career paths for high school students enrolled in todays’ career technical education programs. Career Technical Education has been a major component of Orange County’s workforce preparation systems for over 50 years with help from regional occupational centers and programs, according to the California Department of Education.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/what-students-and-families-need-to-know-about-career-technical-education/

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Orange Unified to vote on a contract with interim superintendent

Edward Velasquez has been working without a written agreement since he assumed the interim role on Jan. 9 after the surprise firing of the superintendent.

https://www.ocregister.com/2023/01/18/orange-unified-to-vote-on-a-contract-with-interim-administrator/

SACRAMENTO BEE

California school district transitioned child without telling parent, lawsuit alleges

A conservative legal group has filed a lawsuit against the superintendent and school board members for the Chico Unified School District, alleging that a district employee helped a fifth-grade student transition their gender identity without informing the child’s parent.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article271295532.html

PRESS-ENTERPRISE

Middle school students explore STEM careers at Mt. San Jacinto College event

More than 400 eighth graders from Banning and Beaumont middle schools attended the Thursday, Jan. 12, conference.

https://www.pressenterprise.com/2023/01/16/middle-school-students-explore-stem-careers-at-mt-san-jacinto-college-event/

PRESS-TELEGRAM LONG BEACH

Long Beach elementary kids celebrated for being bookworms

Students at Lincoln Elementary School turned 226,995 pages during a three-week read-a-thon.

https://www.presstelegram.com/2023/01/18/long-beach-elementary-kids-celebrated-for-being-bookworms/

EDSOURCE

The right choices? Leaders, policymakers and experts react to Gov. Newsom’s 2022-23 education budget

Following years of record growth, California is confronting a slowing economy even as it embarks on a range of investments to improve education and the well-being of its students. In the pages below, more than 60 education insiders — from students to administrators to practitioners and advocates — share their thoughts on how well Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2023-24 budget proposal meets their priorities for early education, K-12 schools and the state’s public universities in the face of an expected economic downturn.

https://edsource.org/2023/the-right-choices-leaders-policymakers-and-experts-react-to-gov-newsoms-2022-23-education-budget/684352

Music education may make students more hopeful about their futures

Music education can boost the emotional wellbeing of adolescents, according to research by the University of Southern California. Researchers surveyed 120 students from 52 Los Angeles Unified School District middle schools online to determine the impact of music on positive youth development.

https://edsource.org/news-updates#music-education-may-make-students-more-hopeful-about-their-futures

New charging stations will help modernize LA Unified’s bus fleet

Los Angeles Unified is adding 24 electric charging stations as part of a plan to modernize bus transportation in the district. Six of the charging stations will be added to the Sun Valley bus yard and 18 to the Gardena yard, according to a press release from the school district.

https://edsource.org/updates/new-charging-stations-will-help-modernize-la-unifieds-bus-fleet

Sonoma Valley Unified considers closing schools amid declining enrollment

The Sonoma Valley Unified School District may consider closing and consolidating schools to address a drop in enrollment, The Press-Democrat reported. Another option the district could consider is reconfiguring schools, such as establishing grades K-8 and 9-12 schools rather than the current configuration of grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

https://edsource.org/updates/sonoma-valley-unified-considers-closing-schools-amid-declining-enrollment

Low turnout at Los Angeles Unified’s optional learning days, but district still touts benefits

Nearly 40,000 students attended one or both days of Los Angeles Unified’s optional additional learning effort over winter break, but that was only a disappointing 56% of those who registered. The two days were the first of four the district is holding across the school year as part of an effort to get students back on track academically following the disruption of the pandemic.

https://edsource.org/updates/low-turnout-at-los-angeles-unifieds-optional-learning-days-but-district-still-touts-benefits

KPBS

San Diego Unified launches new engagement website for students

Students in the San Diego Unified School District are starting the New Year with a new connection. The district launched an online engagement platform, created by students — for students. "It's really important if you are a student in San Diego Unified School District, there is something for you on this website," said Lea Nepomuceno,17, who is a senior at Scripps Ranch High School.

https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2023/01/17/san-diego-unified-launches-new-engagement-website-for-students

OTHER NEWS OUTLETS

'The Loft,' space dedicated to student wellness, opens at Los Alamitos High School

Orange County Dept. of Education hopes to open 'WellSpaces' at all middle and high schools in O.C.

https://www.spotlightschools.com/articles/news/the-loft-space-dedicated-to-student-wellness-opens-at-los-alamitos-high-school

Almost half of grads at S.F. Unified do not qualify for UC

Public school students in San Francisco are graduating at higher rates than their peers of the last six years. Previously struggling student demographics are making great strides. So why is 41% of the class of 2022 not eligible for college in California?

https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/education/almost-half-of-grads-at-sf-unified-do-not-qualify-for-uc/article_fb18b1e4-96bb-11ed-9991-53175f93026a.html

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