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The “Knocking at the College Door” report from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education forecasts a significant increase in high school graduates in California and nationwide, peaking in 2025. Demarée K. Michelau, the organization’s president, noted: “After years of growth, higher education in the United States now faces a decline in the size of the traditional college-going population.” Following this peak, the number of graduates is expected to decline steadily until 2041, influenced by factors such as declining birth rates and longer K-12 completion times. Notably, multiracial students in California are projected to increase by 224%, while other racial and ethnic groups will see declines. The report also suggests that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on graduation rates may be less severe than previously thought, with only a 1% decrease anticipated. Patrick Lane, a co-author of the report, emphasized the potential economic implications of these trends, particularly concerning workforce shortages.

 

EdSource

Education Week

California schools are facing significant challenges in improving writing skills, with many still not recovering to pre-pandemic levels. An instructional leader noted: “Our biggest pain point is writing.” To address this, Elham Kazemi and colleagues suggest that school leaders collaborate with teachers to regularly analyze student writing. Ron Berger, co-founder of EL Education, emphasizes the importance of showing students models of excellent work, stating: “Students are often unclear about what they are aiming for until they actually see and analyze strong models.” Strategies for improvement include forming study groups to review exemplary writing, providing specific feedback, and making student work visible throughout schools. Tina Meglich, principal of Conway Elementary, highlights the impact of displaying student work, saying: “Kids will ask, ‘Who wrote that essay on Esperanza Rising?’” This approach not only enhances writing quality but also inspires students to strive for excellence. Berger concludes: “After students have had a taste of excellence, they’re never satisfied with less; they’re always hungry.”

 

EdSource

Peter DeWitt, a former K-5 principal and leadership coach, along with Michael Nelson from the Instructional Leadership Collective, highlight the challenges faced by school principals. A 2019 report by the Learning Policy Institute and the National Association of Secondary School Principals revealed that 42% of principals considered leaving their positions, primarily due to workload. Education Week identifies 10 common themes related to personal and leadership workload, emphasizing the need for support in areas such as balancing responsibilities, time management, and staff collaboration. DeWitt states: "Leaders can't control the situations that happen to them on a daily basis, but they can control how they react to them," underscoring the importance of managing stress for mental well-being. The insights aim to foster a supportive environment for principals to enhance their leadership effectiveness and student outcomes.

 

Education Week News

The San Diego USD School Board is considering a proposal to construct 1,000 income-restricted apartments on five district-owned properties, aiming to house 10% of its employees within the next decade. Lee Dulgeroff, the district's facilities executive director, emphasized the need for "bold but achievable long-term goals." The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the housing crisis affecting recruitment and retention of staff. The proposed sites include the Eugene Brucker Center and Ballard Center, with plans for various income levels. Craig Adelman from LeSar Development Consultants noted that the moderate-income units would cater to families earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income. The district has allocated $206m from Measure U for housing, but challenges remain in funding and construction costs. Trustee Quinton Baldis suggested considering housing for students and families as well, aligning with the district's goals. Jennifer LeSar, chief executive of LeSar, encouraged the board to proceed with the plans and engage developers.

 

The Fresno Bee

Scott Schmerelson, a retired principal, has been elected as the new president of the Los Angeles Board of Education after a challenging re-election campaign. At 73, he begins his third term representing District 3, which includes the west San Fernando Valley. Schmerelson highlighted the community's unity against a $5.4m campaign funded by opponents, claiming: “It is really our whole community that won ... because we learned to work together against the power of money.” He emphasized his commitment to ensuring that “every child, every single student, is treated fairly” and that all stakeholders in the education system are valued. Schmerelson's election follows Jackie Goldberg's departure, and he aims to maintain continuity while addressing budget and policy issues. The board also welcomed new members, including Karla Griego and Sherlett Hendy Newbill, ensuring a stable leadership transition.

 

Los Angeles Times

San Francisco USD's efforts to eliminate math disparities have faced significant challenges. In 2014, the district moved algebra to ninth grade to detrack students, aiming to provide equal opportunities. Ho Nguyen, a former K-12 math administrator, noted: "When districts slot students into math classes based on ability, they send conspicuous messages to those on the lower track that they are not smart enough." Despite initial hopes, the district's experiment was recently reversed, with 82% of voters supporting the return of eighth-grade algebra. Critics argue that the policy did not effectively reduce disparities, with Tom Loveless stating that "detracking doesn’t solve the underlying problem, which is achievement gaps." Advocates like Kentaro Iwasaki believe that while detracking was a step forward, it alone cannot address the deeper issues of educational inequality.

 

EdSurge

At Beverly Hills High School, tensions between Persian Jewish and Black students escalated significantly around the presidential election. Assistant Superintendent Laura Collins-Williams warned: “We must act urgently to prevent further violence,” highlighting a series of confrontations and a troubling incident involving pro-Trump demonstrations. During these rallies, some Black students reported feeling unsafe, with one teacher, Bella Ivory, expressing fear for her students' safety as demonstrators attempted to enter her classroom. Collins-Williams, who is currently involved in a lawsuit against the district for racial discrimination, noted that Black students feel marginalized and unsupported. The district, however, has denied allegations of racism and stated that investigations did not corroborate claims of racial slurs. 

 

Los Angeles Times

With Kim De Serpa winning her election for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, the Pajaro Valley USD Board of Trustees must decide how to fill her seat in January. De Serpa has been a member of the school board since 2010 and will resign before being sworn into her new position. The board will determine whether to fill her vacancy through a special election or a provisional appointment at their upcoming regular meeting.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

With the demand for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers projected to surge, Santa Monica-Malibu USD is enhancing its science curriculum through PS Science. The initiative, which began in 2006, aims to provide essential STEM education to students, with a focus on hands-on learning. Rob Solomon, a member of the PS Science Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of early science education, explaining: “We need to set our kids up for success early and ensure that all students have the same educational opportunities.” The program currently serves 17 public schools in Los Angeles County, reaching over 12,000 students. PS Science executive director Julie Olds noted that the curriculum aligns with The Next Generation Science Standards and aims to make science engaging and interactive. The organization is committed to fostering a love for science among students, ensuring they view science as an exciting subject rather than a chore.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

On Monday night, Malibu residents were forced to evacuate as the Franklin Fire erupted, fueled by strong winds. The fire, which began near Malibu Creek State Park, quickly spread to over 2,700 acres by Tuesday afternoon. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated: “We'd really like to button this fire up and get some containment by this afternoon.” Approximately 18,000 residents were affected, with over 2,000 homes under evacuation orders. Over 800 students at Pepperdine University in Malibu were forced to take cover in the Tyler Campus Centre and Payson Library. According to the school district's Facebook page, Malibu also shuttered all four schools on Tuesday due to the fire, strong winds, and power outages. On Tuesday, the centre was scheduled to relocate to Santa Monica-Malibu USD's Professional Development and Learning Centre. 

 

Signalscv.com

The Santa Monica-Malibu USD Board of Education has heard details of a review of maintenance progress. Maintenance staff reported closing 4,065 work orders this year, with Santa Monica High School receiving significant attention. The 2024 Facility Improvement Tool (FIT) scores indicated that Santa Monica High improved from “Fair” to “Good.” Notable projects included replacing broken windows and addressing a rodent issue at John Adams Middle School, where staff eliminated 75 rats without harsh chemicals. Additionally, the Santa Monica Education Foundation, led by executive director Raymur Flinn, reported raising $2.48m for school programs, with a goal of $1.8m for the upcoming year. Flinn expressed gratitude for the community's support, noting that “Pledge Week” raised over $200,000.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

The Redwood Bark, the student newspaper of Redwood High School, recently achieved 10th place in the "best in show" competition at the National High School Journalism Convention. This recognition highlights the strength of the school's journalism program, which boasts over 200 students participating in various media formats. Erin Schneider, the adviser to The Bark, noted: "In this political climate, kids want to know what is the truth," reflecting the growing interest in journalism among students. The program not only teaches essential reporting skills but also fosters teamwork and responsibility. The Bark's success at the convention, attended by over 5,000 student journalists and educators, is a testament to the dedication and talent of its staff and students.

 

The Fresno Bee