The California Health and Human Services Agency has released the Master Plan for Early Learning and Care: California For All Kids.

The Plan will help the state better understand the crisis families, children and early learning and care providers are facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies key policy goals to ensure that all California children can thrive physically, emotionally and educationally in their early years through access to high-quality early learning and care programs.

These goals include universal preschool, enhanced workforce development and equitable career pathways for educators and caregivers, and funding reforms to promote equitable access to high-quality early learning and care.

You can find get a quick overview of the plan and download the full report at https://californiaforallkids.chhs.ca.gov.

You can read the official press release here.

The following November 6 press release is from the California Department of Education:

SACRAMENTO — The State Board of Education on Thursday unanimously approved the use of shorter standardized tests in English language arts and math this spring, creating a path for collecting critical student data amidst COVID-19 uncertainties.

The Board’s action also recognizes the need for innovative solutions to support students, schools and districts as they confront myriad challenges associated with the pandemic.

“Our schools and educators need flexibility, options, and ongoing support as they continue to navigate tremendous challenges and collect data across multiple measures to fully understand student learning,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

Like other states, California is required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act to assess student learning as a condition of receiving certain federal funds. In a letter to state education chiefs, the U.S. Department of Education indicated they would not currently consider a waiver and that states should prepare to administer tests in the spring.

The State Board’s approval of shorter Smarter Balanced assessments in English language arts and math for grades 3–8 and 11 reflects California’s commitment to supporting schools by providing testing options.

The shorter assessments will reduce student testing time, which now takes from seven to eight hours in total. Guidance regarding test administration will include flexible options to meet the unique contexts of each district or school.

The tests will cover all academic standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Spring testing will provide the first statewide snapshot of the impact of COVID-19 on student learning.

“Because we have been supporting and encouraging districts to use formative and diagnostic assessments this fall, schools will have data to guide individual student learning. Meanwhile, a shorter summative test can provide a more manageable way to offer district and state-level information in these unpredictable times,” said State Board President Linda Darling-Hammond.

Now that the shorter tests are approved, CDE will work closely with districts and charter schools to strategize test administration, ensure student participation, and communicate with families.

Click here to read this press release on the CDE website.

PTA recently created a document that provides helpful guidance on an issue that many of you may be facing right now: school re-opening. To read the document in its entirety, click here.

California State PTA’s “School Reopening Principles” are based on our organizational goals and purposes, input from our local leaders and from our parent listening sessions last summer, our longstanding educational and legislative stances, and the most current information from reliable educational and health agencies. We encourage local PTAs and school districts to adhere to these principles during important conversations regarding school reopening.

The decisions facing schools, PTAs, and families on important issues of educational opportunity and health are complex, and we hope that California State PTA’s Principles for School Reopening will assist you with these crucial conversations.

Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), in cooperation with California State PTA, produced “Navigating the Uncertainty of Reopening Schools: A Guide for Parents, Families and the Public.” This report summarizes the current state of knowledge about key issues, and suggests a set of questions that parents and educators should ask when considering plans for reopening during the pandemic. This summary infographic serves as a valuable handout for community discussions.

“This report informs parents and helps raise important questions about health, equity, social-emotional issues, and effective teaching and learning,” said Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA. “We hope that it will prompt discussions among all concerned as to when and how to conduct schooling during the pandemic.”

In May 2020 California State PTA partnered with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to provide professional learning network services by offering three listening sessions to our primary stakeholders: parents/guardians, PTA leaders and educators.

Engagement of our stakeholders throughout each listening session was very high and the conversations were intense. Parents especially had a lot to say. They clearly needed an outlet where they could share their worries, ask questions, and find compassion. While distance learning and school reopening were the topics of greatest concern, common themes emerged through each session: communication and family engagement; social emotional health and well-being; and care for our most vulnerable children. Our stakeholders’ voices make clear how difficult the last few months have been for families and how vital it is that families are included in decisions about their children’s education.

California State PTA and CCEE compiled a report that analyzes the lessons learned from the listening sessions. The report details what we heard from families regarding their experiences during the first months of the pandemic and their concerns going forward. It also identifies available resources that address the needs and concerns of parents, and offers recommendations on how to support parents and families as schools navigate decision-making during this challenging time.

To read or download the complete report, click here.

To listen to recordings of the listening sessions, click here.