OCDE Education in the News

Thursday, January 26, 2023

OCDE NEWSROOM

OC’s Discovery Cube invites educational community to celebrate Teachers Night Out on Feb. 9

Discovery Cube in Orange County is hosting its latest “Teachers Night Out” event from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. The free event will bring complimentary food and drinks, STEM activities, science demonstrations and raffle prizes to the popular children’s museum, which is located at 2500 N. Main Street in Santa Ana. Teachers Night Out is limited to adults, but all educators are welcome, including classroom teachers, homeschool parents, after-school providers, scout leaders and other members of the educational community. The deadline to register is Feb. 6.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/ocs-discovery-cube-invites-educational-community-to-celebrate-teachers-night-out-on-feb-9/

LOS ANGELES TIMES

At $611 a day per student, some question if L.A. schools’ extra learning days are worth it

The two second-graders in Susana Cabello’s class got a brief but exclusive education during the Los Angeles school district’s winter break. Not only did they have Cabello’s undivided attention all day, but that of a professional tutor as well. This education booster shot, however, came at considerable expense — about $611 per day per student for up to two added “acceleration days.” That same cost, multiplied over a 180-day school year, would total about $110,000 per student. By comparison, next year’s record state education funding will provide $23,723 per public school student.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-25/extra-l-a-schools-learning-loss-days-cost-611-per-student

SACRAMENTO BEE

Sacramento Assemblyman introduces bill to ban homeless encampments near parks and schools

Assemblyman Josh Hoover, R-Folsom, has introduced legislation that would prohibit homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools, daycare centers, parks, and libraries.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article271591902.html#storylink=cpy

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

We asked ChatGPT to do some homework. Here’s what we got

Aside from it thinking San Jose has stellar beaches, the AI bot didn’t do half bad explaining string theory, penning a poem about the San Francisco Bay Area and teaching your puppy to sit.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/01/26/we-asked-chatgpt-to-do-some-homework-heres-what-we-got/

Oakland’s new school board voted not to close schools — but at what cost?

Plan to shutter five schools reversed, but a new analysis shows it was a costly decision.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/01/25/oaklands-new-school-board-voted-not-to-close-schools-but-at-what-cost/

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

‘Shock to the education system’: This AI chatbot is already writing school essays and could rewrite the future of learning

A few weeks before winter break, 17-year-old Kaden Hyatt sent a mass email to his Oakland high school, College Preparatory. He had just stumbled across a new artificial intelligence platform called ChatGPT.

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/01/26/shock-to-the-education-system-this-ai-chatbot-is-already-writing-school-essays-and-could-rewrite-the-future-of

EDSOURCE

Four-day school week gaining popularity nationally. Why isn’t it happening in California?

Four-days school weeks are growing in popularity nationally. The schedule offers greater flexibility for families and teachers, but studies show it also can result in lower student test scores.

https://edsource.org/2023/four-day-school-week-gaining-popularity-nationally-why-isnt-it-happening-in-california/684696

Amid some bright spots, report shows toll of pandemic on California youth

Lagging math scores, rising rates of depression and teacher shortages have all contributed to grim conditions for millions of children in California, although some signs of hope shine though the data, a new report from Children Now found.

https://edsource.org/2023/amid-some-bright-spots-report-shows-toll-of-pandemic-on-california-youth/684852

Schools honored for commitment to arts education

Nineteen schools were selected for the California Exemplary Arts Education Award Tuesday. They will be honored in Anaheim in February. “Congratulations to these 19 schools for their incredible commitment to arts programs, which can have significant positive effects on a student’s academic and personal life,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “Arts education boosts school attendance, academic achievement, and college attendance rates. Arts programs also improve school climate and promote higher self-esteem and social-emotional development for our students.”

https://edsource.org/news-updates#schools-honored-for-commitment-to-arts-education

NPR

High schoolers threaten to sue DeSantis over ban of African American studies course

Three Florida high school students are poised to sue Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after the state Education Department rejected a new Advanced Placement course covering African American studies. The news comes one day after the College Board announced it would revise the course.

https://www.npr.org/2023/01/25/1151376707/advanced-placement-african-american-studies-desantis-crump-lawsuit

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