News Briefs | FYI | Jan. 9, 2023

Association of California School Administrators

News Briefs | FYI

January 9, 2023

Moreno Valley supt receives state clean energy award

The California Energy Commission has announced Moreno Valley USD Superintendent Martinrex Kedziora as a Clean Energy Champion. The third annual awards honor those making exceptional contributions to help California achieve a 100 percent clean energy future for all.

Kedziora’s leadership has resulted in MVUSD transitioning a fleet of 117 school buses to be powered by clean energy sources. With 38 electric buses and eight more on the way, MVUSD has the largest electric bus fleet in the state. This effort has been Kedziora’s passion project to better serve students living in a disadvantaged community with poor air quality.

“This recognition is truly amazing,” Kedziora said. “This could not be possible without the support, dedication and commitment of our outstanding staff who work tirelessly to create a safe learning environment for our future leaders.”

The Commission recognized six leaders at a Dec. 8 ceremony held in-person at the California Natural Resources Agency Auditorium and remotely via Zoom.

The Clean Energy Champion awards recognize individuals who are combating climate change and contributing to California’s clean energy future through their bold moves, leadership and innovative ideas, while helping benefit communities in California through more equitable outcomes.

Moreno Valley USD Superintendent Martinrex Kedziora during a recent ribbon cutting celebrating the district’s fleet of 38 electric school buses. Kedziora was recognized as a Clean Energy Champion by the California Energy Commission.

Better evaluations can improve teacher, principal performance

The National Council on Teacher Quality’s latest report finds room for improvement when it comes to adopting evaluation policies for teachers and principals, according to a report released in November.

In “State of the States 2022: Teacher and Principal Evaluation Policies,” NCTQ presents data and analysis on policies in all 50 states and D.C. covering essential, evidence-based components of teacher and principal evaluation systems.

Research shows, when implemented effectively, state evaluation policies can drive better outcomes for teachers, principals, and — most importantly — their students.

“Since our last analysis in 2019, states have largely retreated or stalled in adopting evidence-based teacher and principal evaluation policies that support student learning,” according to the report. “While state evaluation systems did experience disruptions throughout the pandemic, this pattern follows a trend that began as early as 2016.

“Since then, states have continued to move away from including measures of student academic growth as part of evaluations, and several have dropped the use of student surveys as well.”

To support state policymakers’ and advocates’ work on educator evaluation, NCTQ recommends a number of policies and practices, including focusing on student growth, requiring annual evaluations, publishing statewide data, gaining a more comprehensive picture of principal effectiveness and designing systems with consequences.

Read the report and find policy data for California at www.nctq.org/publications/State-of-the-States-2022:-Teacher-and-Principal-Evaluation-Policies.

Report finds ‘bright spots’ for Black LAUSD students

A new report from the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools has identified three LAUSD schools and two community organizations as “bright spots” for illuminating pathways to success for Black students in Los Angeles.

“Bright Spots: Schools & Organizations Cultivating Excellence in Los Angeles Black Youth” analyzes how these schools (Baldwin Hills Elementary, Ninety-ninth Street Elementary and King/Drew Magnet High School) and community organizations (Community Coalition and Social Justice Learning Institute) have sustained a track record of support and achievement for Black students.

Through student and staff interviews and student focus groups, researchers identified four components leading to a culture of excellence at these schools and organizations:

1. Holistic support of students. 2. Culturally relevant teaching and engagement strategies. 3. Learning as a tool of empowerment. 4. Co-construction of learning spaces and opportunities.

“The schools and community organizations featured in this report model approaches and practices that have proven successful in supporting their Black students,” the authors wrote in their conclusion. “We recognize the ability of these sites — their staff, and students — to promote and sustain cultures of excellence as informative of how other organizations and entities can improve the outcomes and experiences of Black students.”

Read the full report at https://transformschools.ucla.edu/research/bright-spots/.

FYI

Magazine seeks articles on safe and inclusive schools

Leadership magazine is seeking submissions for its May/June 2023 issue with the theme “Safe and Inclusive Schools.” Topics include LGTBQIA+; accessibility and inclusion; learning gaps; racial disparities; safe spaces for all; promoting allyship; embracing diversity; inclusion for special education students; anti-bullying programs; gender-inclusive and cultural sensitivity training; and confronting racism in schools. Email your article to Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Naj Alikhan at nalikhan@acsa.org. Find Leadership online at leadership.acsa.org. The submission deadline is Jan. 30, 2023.

Grants available to train mental health providers

The Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program provides funding for innovative partnerships that work to train school-based mental health service providers who will ultimately work in schools and LEAs. The estimated available funds for this program total $99,567,000, which is made available under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. These funds are available for obligation through March 31, 2023. Applications are due by January 27, 2023, and further information is available at bit.ly/3Vl4UYV.

Web page has resources on gender-inclusive bathrooms

The CDE’s Office of Learning Environments in the School Facilities and Transportation Division has launched a new web page to provide LEAs with facility planning and design resources, current laws, research and references for the implementation of gender-inclusive restrooms in K–12 schools. Visit www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/allaccessrestroom.asp for more information.