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The 2024 State of Teaching survey by Education Week reveals significant disparities between teachers and administrators regarding non-teaching duties. While 32% of principals believe teachers are not overburdened, only 14% of teachers agree. The survey, which included 1,498 teachers and 659 administrators, highlights a disconnect in perceptions of additional responsibilities, such as supervision and administrative tasks. Scott Goldstein, executive director of EmpowerEd, notes that this gap reflects a lack of awareness about daily classroom demands. He emphasizes, “If we are prioritizing adults so that they are fully well and able to pour into the students, we are absolutely prioritizing kids.” The findings suggest that without addressing these discrepancies, teacher morale and retention may continue to suffer. The next report on teacher morale is expected in early 2025.

 

Education Week News

How Will You Screen for Dyslexia?

California’s Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel has identified and approved reading difficulties risk screening instruments. Local educational agencies (LEAs) can use these tools to meet a new requirement taking effect for the 2025-26 school year to annually screen all kindergarten through second grade students for risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia. HMH is excited to leverage Amira to better support California students' reading development and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Learn About HMH Amira

 

California is witnessing a shift in its teacher workforce demographics, with an increasing number of Hispanic candidates entering teacher preparation programs. In the 2022-23 school year, over 50% of new teacher candidates identified as non-white, with nearly 40% being Hispanic. José Magaña, executive director of Bay Area Latinos for Education, emphasized the importance of representation, stating, “The research is pretty clear that not just Latino students and English language learners, but all students, benefit from having a more diverse educator.” Despite this progress, challenges remain, particularly in attracting Black teacher candidates, who have consistently made up only about 4% of the total. The state is implementing various initiatives to address these disparities and enhance the diversity of its teaching workforce.

 

EdSource

With fires continuing to impact Los Angeles County, Los Angeles USD reopened most of its schools and offices on Monday. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho explained that the decision was influenced by improved containment of the fires and better air quality, shifting from unhealthy to moderate levels. LAUSD has prepared for the return by restoring power to schools, ensuring adequate bottled water, and inspecting HVAC systems. Outdoor activities will be limited, and masks will be provided. For students at closed schools, meal distribution will occur at Webster Middle School. Additionally, approximately 340 LAUSD employees affected by the fires will receive five days of paid time off and $500 in relief funds. Mr. Carvalho emphasized the district's commitment to supporting its workforce during this difficult time.

 

EdSource

Sulphur Springs USD's governing board has elected Denis DeFigueiredo as the new board president for 2025. DeFigueiredo's experience includes serving on school site councils at Mitchell Elementary and Sierra Vista Junior High, as well as on district committees in the William S. Hart Union High School District. He has received recognition from the PTA and the Boy Scouts of America for his community involvement. Shelley Weinstein was elected as the clerk, having served on the board since 2003 and holding various committee roles. She has also been an active PTA member and community volunteer.

 

Signalscv.com

In Santa Rosa, the committee reviewing school closures emphasizes the importance of preserving high schools while recognizing the challenges of relocating middle schools onto high school or elementary campuses. Genevieve Lilligren, an electives teacher at Herbert Slater Middle School, argues that "sequestering them in one area of a high school is a logistical impossibility." Middle schoolers require specialized environments with access to facilities like science labs and locker rooms, which high schools lack. The proposal raises concerns about the safety and well-being of younger students alongside older peers, as well as the logistical difficulties of shared facilities and scheduling.

 

Press Democrat

Students at Franklin Elementary School in Yuba City eagerly observed the installation of new modular classrooms, as construction progresses on a project that began in August. Superintendent Lisa Shelton noted: “They’ve watched the cement being poured... and here come the buildings.” The project, costing approximately $5m, includes four new classrooms, a playground, and other enhancements. A $4m grant from the Office of Public School Construction, along with over $1m from the district, funded the initiative. The new classrooms will accommodate Transitional Kindergarten and kindergarten students, addressing the upcoming requirement for all California public school districts to offer TK starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Shelton emphasized the importance of this project, stating: “It’s going to be good for kids, and that’s what’s most important.”

 

Appeal Democrat

Senior executives from major companies emphasize the importance of social-emotional skills alongside technical abilities for future job candidates. Jennie Magiera, global head of education impact at Google, stated, "The world needs more people who can navigate complex challenges with both intelligence and empathy." Companies like Microsoft and Southwest Airlines also highlight the need for skills such as self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and teamwork. Research indicates that these skills are linked to long-term economic success, prompting schools to integrate social-emotional learning into their curricula. By fostering these essential skills, educational institutions can better prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce.

 

Education Week News

Thousands of parents are turning to mental-health chatbots to allow their teenage children to share their concerns and stresses. Bill Brady, CEO of Troomi Wireless, which makes smartphones with a restricted internet browser, text-message monitoring and controls over contacts and screen time said of the firm's Troodi chatbot: “We believe online safety is inextricably linked to positive mental health. The goal with Troodi is to help kids work through any negative mental-health issues they’re having before they fester.” Parents have said the bot gives advice similar to their own, with the added advantage of coming from what teenagers perceive as a neutral party.

 

Wall Street Journal

Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez has spoken out on immigration raids, noting that “The fear that exists now is 100% real,” and highlighting concerns that parents may keep their children home from school due to fears of arrest. Recent operations, including “Operation Return to Sender,” have led to 78 arrests in Kern County, exacerbating fears among immigrant families. Many parents are worried about the potential impact on their children's education and well-being, with some daycare operators advising families to prepare for the worst. Margarita Rocha, executive director of Centro La Familia, emphasized the emotional toll on children, stating, “What happens? The children are highly impacted and will be traumatized for years.”

 

The Modesto Bee

Students at Fontana's Alder Middle School had a unique experience on Nov. 21, 2024, when NextUp Aviation introduced a mobile 36-foot flight simulator lab to the campus. This event, part of Fontana USD's Career Technical Education partnership with NextUp Aviation, aimed to inspire students to consider careers in the aviation and aerospace industry. As Xavi Hernandez, a sixth-grader, piloted the cockpit simulator, he and his peers were encouraged to explore various career pathways in aviation. The initiative highlights the importance of early exposure to career options for students.

 

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

An incident involving a Santa Rosa man and two girls walking home from school has prompted police to emphasize the importance of “stranger danger” awareness among parents and children. The encounter occurred on Friday afternoon when a driver in a 2008 Jeep Cherokee approached the girls, playing loud pop music and waving for their attention. Although police have interviewed the driver, they have not determined if a crime occurred. Sgt. Patricia Seffens stated, “Regardless, police want local families to talk with their children about how they should respond if they're ever approached by strangers.”

 

Press Democrat

Layla Touchet, a counselor at Prairie Elementary School in Lafayette, Louisiana, has observed a troubling trend among students struggling with self-regulation. “Their coping skills are not there like they used to be,” she noted, highlighting that this issue extends beyond younger students to those in grades 3-5. According to the National Center for Education Statistics' School Pulse Panel, over 80% of public schools report stunted behavioral and socioemotional development among students. Factors contributing to this decline include the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted essential socialization and learning experiences. Experts like Stephanie Jones from Harvard University emphasize that the pandemic has hindered children's ability to manage emotions, leading to increased behavioral problems in classrooms. To address these challenges, schools are encouraged to implement strategies such as visual supports, educator modeling, and explicit social-emotional learning instruction. Proactive measures are essential for fostering emotional self-regulation skills in students, ensuring their success in the classroom.

 

Education Week News

Medical schools in the U.S. are witnessing a significant drop in Black and Hispanic enrollment following a Supreme Court ruling that prohibited the consideration of race in admissions. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Black enrollment fell by nearly 12% in 2024, while Hispanic enrollment decreased by almost 11%. Dr. David Acosta, AAMC's chief diversity and inclusion officer, stated: “Medical schools are operating in a new environment” due to the ruling.

 

TTown Media

A University of Washington student, JD Kaim, faced an academic hold after creating HuskySwap, a tool designed to help students swap class spots during enrollment. Despite taking the tool offline at the university's request, Kaim described the situation as a “soft expulsion” for developing a resource that could assist students in securing desired classes. He stated, “The website was a simple app designed to help students find partners to trade spots in critical classes after they filled up.” The university claimed the tool violated its registration policy regarding automated enrollment tools. After complying with the university's demands, Kaim announced on LinkedIn that the hold was lifted, allowing him to continue his studies and graduate next quarter. He expressed gratitude for the support he received during this challenging time.

 

Edscoop

Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District's music program has achieved significant recognition, with 31 students accepted into the California All-State Music Education Conference's honor ensembles. The conference, organized by the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), will take place in Sacramento from January 16-19. Notably, Los Gatos High School has 13 students participating, while Saratoga High School has 18. Additionally, the Los Gatos High School treble choir has been selected as a featured ensemble, following Saratoga High School's Symphonic Wind Ensemble's selection for the 2024 conference.

 

Mercury News