OCDE Education in the News

Friday, June 21, 2024

OCDE NEWSROOM

Share your tributes: We’re honoring Dr. Al Mijares as he retires after 12 years of service

Capping a 12-year run as Orange County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Al Mijares is retiring on June 30. To honor Dr. Mijares’ service to OCDE and his distinguished career in education, we’re seeking brief statements from educators and community members to publish here in the OCDE Newsroom on his final day.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/sharing-your-tributes-honoring-dr-al-mijares-as-he-retires-after-12-years-of-service/

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

New Cal State Fullerton president says his leadership begins with courtesy

For incoming Cal State Fullerton President Ronald Rochon, leadership is about giving respect, not commanding it, he said.

https://www.ocregister.com/2024/06/20/i-believe-in-hospitality-on-steroids-new-cal-state-fullerton-president-says-his-leadership-begins-with-courtesy/

LOS ANGELES TIMES

LAUSD quietly adds $30 million to arts budget amid allegations it improperly shifted funds

Los Angeles school officials have quietly added $30 million to elementary school budgets for arts education in the wake of accusations from former Supt. Austin Buetner, parents and union leaders that the district violated Proposition 28, a voter-approved law mandating increased arts funding at all California schools.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-21/lausd-adds-30-million-amid-allegations-that-it-shortchanged-arts-programs

EDSOURCE

California prepares to launch first phase of new education data system

California has long lagged behind most other states when it comes to education data systems, choosing to focus on compliance rather than program improvement, but that could change later this year when the first phase of the Cradle-to-Career Data System is expected to go live.

https://edsource.org/2024/california-prepares-to-launch-first-phase-of-new-education-data-system/714348

Joseph Komrosky’s recall leaves Temecula Valley Unified’s future uncertain

The Temecula Valley Unified School District’s future remains murky following a close recall election that ousted Joseph Komrosky, the district’s conservative school board president.

https://edsource.org/2024/joseph-komroskys-recall-leaves-temecula-valley-unifieds-future-uncertain/714450

How public funding for private education may be shifting schooling

While the vast majority of American students attend public schools, that number is falling. One reason for declining enrollment, The New York Times reported, is that in many states parents can use public money to educate their kids at home, online or through private schools.

https://edsource.org/updates/how-public-funding-for-private-education-may-be-shifting-schooling

KPCC

California's New Educator Training Aims To Boost LGBTQ+ Student Safety

While California’s education standards encourage inclusivity in the classroom, not all educators have the skills to do that. That’s why a new state law, passed last year, is requiring LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for publicly certified educators working with seventh to 12th grade students.

https://laist.com/news/education/lgbtq-los-angeles-california-la-lacoe-cde-prism-training-ab-5

NPR

Issues with FAFSA could mean many students don't go to college in the fall

This year's college financial aid process was supposed to be easier, after the U.S. Department of Education revamped the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, last year.

https://www.npr.org/2024/06/19/1198912680/federal-student-aid-still-up-in-the-air-for-many

OTHER NEWS OUTLETS

5,000th cadet graduates from Sunburst Youth Academy

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – When the 71st cadet crossed the stage at Sunburst Youth Academy’s commencement ceremony Thursday, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Aller broke away from the line of dignitaries, stepped to the microphone, and called Cadet Andrew Ochoa back to center stage.

https://grizzly.shorthandstories.com/5-000th-cadet-graduates-from-sunburst-youth-academy/index.html

Use of Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Public Schools (K-12), It’s Not Elementary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has swiftly evolved into an integral part of society, particularly within the educational realm. The field of education has witnessed AI’s transformation from a scientific concept to readily available technology, ChatGPT being one of the most prominent applications today. Like the Internet, it is embraced by many educators and students alike. The potential of AI in revolutionizing education, from enhancing classroom instruction to facilitating data analysis, is immense. However, alongside its promise, AI presents significant disruptions, necessitating thoughtful considerations to avoid potential pitfalls. This Grand Jury report not only explores the benefits and concerns of AI in Orange County education but underscores the pressing need for school districts to take responsible action in response to student engagement with AI.

https://fullertonobserver.com/2024/06/21/use-of-artificial-intelligence-in-k-12-public-schools-k-12-its-not-elementary/

School tackles chronic absenteeism with pedal power

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jermaine Lester, 13, said for him, life is better with a bike. “It’s fun when I’m racing my friends and stuff,” Lester said. “And trying to get somewhere quick. And I get my fitness in.” He said his bike, which was donated to him by his school, Rosa Parks in South Sacramento, also helps make sure he gets to class on time. Which he admits sometimes he can be lazy about, if he doesn’t have a bike to get him there. “A little faster than walking, and I don’t like walking. Lester said. “My feet start hurting [walking] and I wear Chuck Taylors all day. So, yeah, feet are always flat.” The school’s principal Paul Hoerl Souza said he has given several of his student’s bikes to help with chronic absenteeism.

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/orange-county/education/2024/06/20/bike-donation-absenteeism-school

New law requires all Louisiana public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana has become the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom, the latest move from a GOP-dominated Legislature pushing a conservative agenda under a new governor.

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/06/19/new-law-requires-all-louisiana-public-school-classrooms-to-display-the-ten-commandments/

The Pandemic's Missing Students

Thousands of students went missing from American classrooms during the pandemic. For some who have tried to return, a serious problem has presented itself. A corrosive combination of onerous re-enrollment requirements, arcane paperwork and the everyday obstacles of poverty — a nonworking phone, a missing backpack, the loss of a car — is in many cases preventing those children from going back.

https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/pandemic-missing-students-school-enrollment/index.html

All about LAUSD’s iconic coffee cake: A sweet tradition dating back to the 1950s

Whenever April Heinz’s grown children come back to Los Angeles for a visit, there is one item they crave — LA Unified’s legendary coffee cake.

https://www.laschoolreport.com/all-about-lausds-iconic-coffee-cake-a-sweet-tradition-dating-back-to-the-1950s/

Oakland passed a historic youth voter measure in 2020. Will teens finally cast their first votes this year?

Four years after Oakland approved a measure to lower the voting age in school board elections, the Town’s 16- and 17-year-olds appear to be on the cusp of casting their first votes this November. The final hurdles include testing and finalizing the changes to the voting systems and a few legal formalities for Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda County to approve.

https://oaklandside.org/2024/06/21/oakland-election-2024-measure-qq-youth-vote/

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