“The policies we approved will improve classroom learning in the arts and world languages; ensure attention to the needs of the most vulnerable students; create stronger relationships with parents and communities; and broaden the availability of health, mental health, and other supports for children who need them the most,” said State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond, in a news release.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond underscored the important educational efforts underway in his remarks to the board: “We are ‘all in’ creating the equitable opportunities for low-income students, ensuring we include students and families in our strategies and decision-making, and finding real solutions to teacher recruitment and retention.”

The 11-member board took the following actions:

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Program: Board members approved elements of a $250 million grant program to increase the number of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards-certified teachers in high-needs schools. More than a decade of research shows that NBPTS-certified teachers have a positive impact on students with high needs. Assembly Bill 130, approved by the California Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this year, re-established the incentive program, which was originally created in 2000. Under the program, any teacher who has attained NBPTS certification is eligible to receive an award of $5,000 a year for five years if they teach at a high-priority school.

Arts and World Language Instructional Materials: Board members adopted two visual arts programs, one music program, and 10 world language programs (including eight for Spanish and two for French) recommended by the Instructional Quality Commission and aligned to California’s new curriculum frameworks for the arts and world languages. While local school districts can follow local processes for choosing instructional materials, those adopted by the State Board have been thoroughly vetted for high quality via a lengthy process involving teacher review panels.

Local Control and Accountability Plan Template Revisions: The board adopted revisions to the Local Control and Accountability Plan template in response to recent statutory changes. The revisions will ensure that local educational agencies are both planning for, and following through on, actions and services that increase and improve services for students from low-income families, English learners and foster youth. In so doing, the new template will help LEAs realize one of the fundamental goals of the Local Control Funding Formula.

California Community Schools Partnership Program: The Board approved an application process and administration plan for the state’s significant investment to expand and support community schools, particularly to serve high-need students.