News Briefs | FYI | Jan. 30, 2023

Association of California School Administrators

News Briefs | FYI

January 30, 2023.

27 schools receive funding for dual language immersion

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 27 schools and school districts were selected through a competitive grant process to receive up to $400,000 each to expand a current dual language immersion program or establish a new one.

“I applaud these schools for taking the initiative to invest in their dual language immersion programs,” Thurmond said, in a news release. “Schools with strong dual language immersion programs are proven to promote strong academic performance among students from all backgrounds and, in the end, prepare our students for college and careers in a highly competitive global marketplace where speaking more than one language is a critical skill.”

The Dual Language Immersion Grant was established by Assembly Bill 130 to expand access to quality dual language learning and foster languages that English learners bring to California’s education system. It requires grantees to provide integrated language learning and academic instruction in elementary and secondary schools for native speakers of English and native speakers of another language with the goals of high academic achievement, first- and second-language proficiency, and cross-cultural understanding.

For more information on the DLIG or to view grant recipients, visit the CDE Funding Results web page at www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r28/dlig21result.asp.

California educator receives national equity award

San Mateo Foster City School District has announced that Coordinator of Special Education Kristin Vogel-Campbell, Ed.D., has won an Excellence in Equity Award in the category Champion of Equity – Special Education.

This competitive national awards program presented by the American Consortium for Equity in Education received more than 160 total nominations from across the U.S., plus a number of submissions from abroad. After the judges’ review, Vogel-Campbell was selected based on outstanding achievement in supporting educational equity for all learners.

Vogel-Campbell was recognized for her work at San Bruno Park School District where she created a supportive community for special education through staff training and increased staff and parental involvement.

“Special Education is my passion and my ‘why,’” Vogel-Campbell said. “My commitment to serving families, students, and staff towards authentic and long-standing systemic change has not wavered, despite this previous year having been one of the toughest years in education. I am honored to serve the San Mateo Foster City community.”

Visit ace-ed.org/awards for more information.

Quality learning for principals linked to positive outcomes

The quality of professional learning for principals is linked to teacher retention and positive student outcomes, according to a new report from the Learning Policy Institute.

“Principal Learning Opportunities and School Outcomes: Evidence from California” used detailed surveys from a representative sample of more than 460 principals in the state. Authors conclude that quality principal professional learning — both preservice and in-service — appear to enhance the likelihood that teachers will stay in their jobs and students will make gains in academic achievement.

“Rarely examined in previous studies, these relationships offer new insights into principal learning and leadership and the influence they can have on teacher retention and academic gains for students,” according to a brief of the report, which was written by Ayana Campoli, Linda Darling-Hammond, Anne Podolsky and Stephanie Levin.

The study shows that all areas of principal professional development, such as shaping positive school environment, managing change and developing people, are positively related to student learning gains in ELA and math.

“Based on this study, the average student whose principal had more access to professional development is projected to make greater gains in both ELA and math,” according to the brief. “In fact, these gains are equivalent to an additional 29 days of learning in ELA and three months’ worth of additional math instruction.”

The study also showed a link to achievement gains for students of color, specifically for students whose principals had access to professional development in instructional leadership, an area focused on implementing the new state standards, selecting effective curriculum strategies and materials to raise student achievement, and supporting the development of higher order thinking skills.

Read the full report at content.acsa.org/principal-learning-opportunities-and-school-outcomes-evidence-from-california.

School district adds telehealth services for students

Heber Elementary School District has taken a step toward helping solve the access to health care issue that has plagued rural communities like the Imperial Valley for decades. Through a partnership with Hazel Health, the nation’s largest telehealth provider for children, Heber schools will be providing its nearly 1,200 students access to free pediatric telehealth and mental health services.

“I’m thrilled to be taking steps to help Heber kids live healthy lives and to stay in school. Being able to access a pediatrician and mental health support for free during school and in the evening hours, is part of our effort to build the better Heber our kids and families deserve,” said school board member Tony Sandoval, in a news release.

Through the program, Heber will work to reduce absenteeism and support student success. Students experiencing health challenges are more likely to miss school, missing critical classroom instruction. The program will help by providing school-based physical and mental health services that help students stay in the classroom.

“Hazel Health will compliment Heber’s existing suite of social and mental health services that are provided for students, including our four school counselors, our psychologist, and our licensed clinical social worker,” said Heber School’s Superintendent Juan Cruz.

Through Hazel Health, the district will provide same day, in-school, pediatric telehealth appointments for common illnesses, and the top reasons why students miss school and leave early, including stomach aches, headaches, sprained ankles, pink eye and more. Scheduled therapy visits to help students with stress, bullying, depression and more will be available.

FYI

ACSA’s Committees and Councils will hold special Virtual Networking Events in the coming months. All school leaders are invited to attend these meetings based on their job function and/or interest. Pre-registration is required using a unique Zoom link. Visit www.acsa.org/committees-councils and click on the Virtual Networking Events tab to register.

Help people impacted by recent storms

Let ACSA know if anyone in your district has been affected or displaced by recent storms and may be in need of ACSA Crisis Support. ACSA can provide a gift card to assist with such things as groceries, gas, replacement of lost clothing/basic necessities and school supplies to confirmed individuals or families in need. Please e-mail acsagroup@acsa.org with information about who needs assistance. For more information, visit www.acsa.org/crisis-support.

Help students go ‘all in’ for FAFSA/CA Dream Act

The CDE, the Golden State Warriors Community Foundation and the California Student Aid Commission are teaming up to speak on the importance of students applying for financial aid with the “All in for FAFSA/CA Dream Act” campaign. The goal of the campaign is to expand access to financial aid to thousands of students who may not have otherwise been aware of these opportunities. The CSAC has created an “All In” landing page (www.csac.ca.gov/all-in) where students, families and educators will find various financial aid resources, including flyers, posters, checklists, postcards and more.