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News Briefs | FYI
April 23, 2026
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Article looks at teacher absenteeism, work-life balance While student absenteeism is a challenge for many schools, districts should also be keeping an eye on rising rates of teacher absenteeism, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality.
Recent reports have shown teacher absences have grown in the post-pandemic years. For instance in Connecticut, the average teacher missed 13 days of school in 2022-23, up from 10 days four years earlier.
In NCTQ’s March District Trendline, author Katherine Bowser examines the annual paid leave policies in 148 of the nation’s largest districts and offers ways for districts to support teachers while minimizing impacts to students.
Studies have shown that teacher absenteeism can have a negative effect on student achievement.
“It also has implications for district resources as it strains an already thin pool of substitute teachers,” Bowser writes. “Still, teachers may become ill or face life circumstances that necessitate missing a few days of work, and so they should have access to paid personal and sick leave as part of their benefits package. The ability to take time off when necessary fosters work-life balance for teachers, which can improve their perceptions of working conditions.”
Among the sample districts, the most common amount of paid leave districts offer is 10 days. Districts that separate paid sick and personal leave offer three more days, on average.
One strategy districts employ to curb absences: cash-out incentives for teachers who don’t use all of their leave by the end of the year. For example, one Florida district offers teachers absent for four or fewer days in a school year the option to receive 80 percent of their daily pay rate for up to 10 unused days.
Read the full article at https://www.nctq.org/research-insights/addressing-the-rise-in-teacher-absenteeism-while-supporting-teachers-work-life-balance.
CalSPRA awards celebrate excellence in communication The California School Public Relations Association recently celebrated the winners of its Excellence in Communications Awards.
An awards gala was held during the association’s annual conference, March 11-14 in San Jose.
CalSPRA’s Excellence in Communications Awards recognize school communications teams for outstanding work in comprehensive programs or campaigns and tactical communications. In addition, communications professionals and leaders are honored with CalSPRA Special Recognition Individual Awards.
CalSPRA’s Superintendent to Watch Award honors California superintendents who demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing strategic communication, strengthening community trust, and elevating the visibility of public education programs.
The 2026 CalSPRA Superintendents to Watch are:
  • Dr. Jason Angle, Colton Redlands Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program.
  • Rubén Aurelio, Vallejo City Unified School District.
  • Juan Cabral, Redlands Unified School District.
  • Kerry Callahan, Western Placer Unified School District.
  • Dr. Anabolena DeGenna, Oxnard School District.
  • Brinda Leon, Brea Olinda Unified School District.
  • Heath Rocha, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District.
  • Erik Swanson, Folsom Cordova Unified School District.
CalSPRA also bestowed the Emerging Communicator of the Year award to Eric Perez, communications specialist with Colton Joint Unified School District, and the Communicator of the Year award to Fermin Leal, chief communications and community relations officer with Santa Ana Unified School District.
The CalSPRA Distinguished Service Award was given to Trent Allen, chief of staff with San Juan Unified School District.
View all winning district submissions at www.calspra.org/excellence-awards.
ASCA: Student-to-school-counselor ratio still too low The ratio of students to school counselors lowered last year but is still above optimal levels, according to the American School Counselor Association.
ASCA says that according to data from the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics, there were 372 students to each school counselor in 2024-25. That ratio is well above ASCA’s recommended ratio of 250 students to each school counselor.
Only four states — Colorado, Hawaii, New Hampshire and Vermont — were below that threshold, which ASCA says allows school counselors to spend most of their time on student services. California’s ratio is 432-to-1, giving the state the ninth highest ratio in the country.
School counselor to student ratios have been lowering each year since the most recent high of 491-to-1 in 2013-14.
ASCA cites many studies showing the benefits of lower ratios, including increases in standardized test scores, attendance, graduation rates and conversations about college attendance and post-secondary plans.
The association has also noted disparities among students who lack access to school counselors.
“... Students of color and students from low-income families are often shortchanged, receiving unequal access to school counselors or attending a school with too few school counselors.” according to the ASCA website.
Read more at www.schoolcounselor.org/about-school-counseling/school-counselor-roles-ratios.
Schools encouraged to join CA Student Mock Election The 2026 General Election is approaching, and this is an ideal time to engage students in meaningful civic engagement. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber are partnering to host the 2026 California Student Mock Election on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
“This statewide program gives students a hands-on opportunity to experience the importance of elections and the role voting plays in our democracy,” Weber and Thurmond said in a joint letter to district and school leaders. “Through your school’s participation, students learn how government and public policy affect their lives, and after ballots are counted, they can compare their results with students across California.”
School registration for the 2026 California Student Mock Election begins Monday, April 13. Find more information and sign up at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/student-voting-programs.
FYI
Nominations now open for Exemplary Woman award
Nominations are now open for ACSA’s 2026 Exemplary Woman in Education Award, which will be presented at the 2026 Women in School Leadership Forum. ACSA is seeking nominations for an outstanding woman in educational leadership who serves as a role model for other women. The nominee should demonstrate passion for the profession, a commitment to grow and develop others, and effective leadership in times of crisis. Nominee must be an ACSA member to qualify. Visit acsa.org/womensaward to submit your nomination by June 12, 2026.
Attendance Works’ webinar series shares practical tips
Attendance Works is kicking off its 2026 Attendance Awareness Campaign featuring the slogan “Your Presence Matters!” Attendance Works’ 2026 free webinar series will emphasize prevention, and actions that strengthen the positive conditions for learning schools and districts can put in place that are effective for reducing chronic absence. Sessions are scheduled for May 13, Aug. 5 and Sept. 23. Learn more and register at www.attendanceworks.org/resources/webinars.
Student can apply for Latino caucus scholarship
Applications are now being accepted for the California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship program was established to advance student achievement, leadership, and upward mobility by helping the next generation meet educational expenses. Candidates must be a full-time student or a graduating high school senior with at least a 2.5 GPA. Deadline to apply is June 1. To apply, visit www.cllcf.org/scholarship-program.