OCDE Education in the News

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

OCDE NEWSROOM

Anaheim Union to host the district’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence Summit

The Anaheim Union High School District is bringing together a diverse line-up of speakers from Google, IBM, the United Nations and the Milken Institute — just to name a few — to discuss new pathways for students in the fields of artificial intelligence, biotech, cybersecurity and more. The district’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit will take place on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Anaheim Hilton. And while the in-person event is limited to invitations only, a virtual live streaming option is available for the public to attend.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/anaheim-union-to-host-the-districts-first-ever-artificial-intelligence-summit/

VOICE OF OC

Debates Over the COVID-19 Student Vaccine Mandate Flare Up at OC School Districts

Local school districts throughout Orange County are wrestling with another debate, this time it’s centered around an expected vaccine mandate for all school children once the shots are fully approved by federal officials. Waves of parents are showing up to local school board meetings to criticize Gov. Gavin Newsom’s upcoming vaccine mandate — which isn’t expected to kick in until after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully authorizes the vaccine for certain age groups.

https://voiceofoc.org/2021/10/debates-over-the-covid-19-student-vaccine-mandate-flare-up-at-oc-school-districts/

DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles Unified School District board approves $2.6B COVID-19 relief plan

The Los Angeles Unified school board on Tuesday, Oct. 26, adopted a plan for spending approximately $2.57 billion in additional COVID-19 pandemic relief funding from the federal government.

https://www.dailynews.com/2021/10/26/lausd-board-approves-2-6b-covid-19-relief-plan/

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE

San Diego Unified approves plan to spend $303 million of COVID funds

The San Diego Unified School Board approved a plan Tuesday to spend hundreds of millions in COVID aid dollars on substitute teachers, custodians, bus drivers, nurses and counselors as well as in several other areas.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/story/2021-10-26/san-diego-unified-details-303-million-of-covid-spending

EDSOURCE

Searching for equity in dual enrollment for California high school students

A growing number of California students are participating in dual enrollment courses — college classes taken while still in high school. But making dual enrollment courses equitable and accessible to even more students hinges on a variety of factors.

https://edsource.org/2021/how-dual-enrollment-can-be-more-equitable-for-california-high-school-students/662880

FDA panel recommends the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for those 5 to 11

A key advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted to recommend the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine in 5- to 11-year-olds, a move that brings the jab a huge step closer to about 28 million children. Shots could be given as early as next week, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

https://edsource.org/updates/fda-panel-recommends-the-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-those-5-to-11

Popular English/language arts curriculum Units of Study receives harsh review

The popular but often-criticized Units of Study K-8 English/Language Arts curriculum received a scathing review Monday from the nonprofit EdReports. EdReports’ instructional material reviews draw on expert educators and are often considered by districts and committees in decisions regarding textbooks and curriculum. The most recent 2018 version of Units of Study did not meet EdReports’ expectations, the organization said.

https://edsource.org/updates/popular-english-language-arts-curriculum-units-of-study-receives-harsh-review

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE

No student vaccine mandate in East Whittier schools for now, superintendent says

There will be no vaccine mandate for students in East Whittier City School District for now, its superintendent told protesting parents at its Monday, Oct. 25 Board of Education meeting.

https://www.sgvtribune.com/2021/10/26/no-student-vaccine-mandate-in-east-whittier-schools-for-now-superintendent-says/

KPBS

Meet the student member of the San Diego Unified Board of Education

Zachary Patterson,18, is a young man on a mission. He’s a senior at University City High School and the first-ever voting student member of the San Diego Board of Education. In June, Patterson was sworn in for a second term as the student representative. Cindy Marten, the former superintendent and current U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education did the honor online. She is one of Patterson’s mentors.

https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2021/10/26/student-member-san-diego-unified-board-education

NPR

A look at the groups supporting school board protesters nationwide

In several states and districts around the country, protestors have been disrupting school board meetings. They're opposed to mask policies. Vaccine mandates. LGBTQ rights. Sex education. Removing police from schools. Teaching about race and American history, or sometimes, anything called "diversity, equity and inclusion" or even "social-emotional learning." The protests aren't ubiquitous, but they're widespread and intense enough that the National School Boards Association asked President Biden to step in, and Attorney General Merrick Garland then directed the FBI to help.

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/26/1049078199/a-look-at-the-groups-supporting-school-board-protesters-nationwide

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