NorCal Educator's Digest
October 2024
Quick Access
- NorCal ELC is Part of a Statewide Initiative that Provide High-Quality, Equity-Centered Professional Learning for Educational Leaders
- Opportunities for North State Educators...
- California Safe and Supportive Schools
- Resource Spotlights
Did You Know?
NorCal ELC is Part of a Statewide Initiative that Provide High-Quality, Equity-Centered Professional Learning for Educational Leaders
The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) offers programs at no-cost that include leadership coaching, as well as an emphasis on improving instruction and achievement outcomes for historically marginalized students. The initiative is led by UC Berkeley and NorCal ELC is the northernmost region of seven Regional Academies across CA.
NorCal ELC is entering year five as a 21CSLA Regional Academy and offers a well established Local School Teams Program that supports an identified lead and their team to work on a Transformative Problem of Practice, receiving coaching and support throughout the school year while applying a continuous improvement approach. The educators engage in inquiry, as well as the design and testing of interventions informed by local data, that address specific challenges. This process aims to create locally driven solutions that enhance outcomes for both students and the broader school community, that are rooted in the principles of equity, collaboration, and ongoing improvement. Additional coaching opportunities are offered for Principals, Administrators and Instructional Leaders.
If you have any questions about NorCal ELC Programs, contact Dr. Michael Kotar (mkotar@csuchico.edu) or Dr. Mike Gulbransen (mgulbransen@csuchico.edu).
Opportunities for North State Educators...
UTK Modules 2024-25
Upcoming! Module 5 on Saturday, December 7th and still accepting apps.
NorCal ELC is offering 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) UTK modules in the Shasta Geo Region in the 2024-25 Academic Year, both virtually and in-person. Watch this space for the modules selected and their respective flyers to register. For each module, NorCal ELC is offering a $250 stipend to participants upon completion.
UTK Community of Practice 2024-25
You're invited!
Please join us for our Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) Community of Practice (CoP) for the Northern California/Shasta Region.
This CoP is an opportunity to:
- Hear about how 21CSLA is approaching UTK and P-3 alignment
- Time to share needs you have and ideas for partnerships
- Collaborate
- Share resources and local events
- Connect with others from around the region
Each CoP meeting will be held on the first Thursday of the month.
Access and share the UTK CoP Flyer today!
California Safe and Supportive Schools
Each month, the California Safe and Supportive Schools Newsletter delivers to your inbox the latest research, resources, policies, and practices related to school climate, safety, and well-being. You can subscribe here. This monthly newsletter is developed by WestEd in collaboration with the California Department of Education.
From their Newsletter, we'd like to reiterate a Grant Opportunity!
- Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) announces the 2024-25 Grants in Place Fellows Program. Each Fellow will receive up to $2,500 for the Place-Based Education project.
- Applications are due October 6th.
Resource Spotlights
How is the North State doing with Graduation Rate Trends by Student Group?
This North State Together Data Walk has this and much more!
Questions for North State Together: please contact:
- James Crandall, Regional Director – Data Strategies
- Email: jcrandall@shastacollege.edu
Check it Out! California Collaborative for Educational Excellence’s Statewide System of Support Resource Hub
New additions to the hub include:
- Inclusive School Leadership: Thriving Together
Discover how inclusive leadership can transform your school environment. Dr. Susan Moore Johnson shares strategies for engaging teachers in decision-making, improving both teacher satisfaction and student success. Explore this resourcewhich includes a podcast and discussion guide. - San Joaquin COE (SJCOE) CAASPP Google Looker Dashboard 23/24
Make your CAASPP data work for you with this easy-to-use dashboard. Visualize key metrics in minutes and drive informed decisions that enhance student outcomes. Checkout the dashboard (Google Doc).
Another great resource:
The Culturally Proficient Framework
This one-page handout provides the five essential elements of Cultural Competence along with guiding principles and common barriers.
Articles from Edutopia's recent issue of The Intercom
- How the Drive to Be Socially Connected Can Lead to School Improvement
“The science of networking can help schools achieve meaningful and enduring change.”
Open House Planning for Secondary Educators
“These tips can help teachers create a positive and lasting connection with families and students.”
KQED For Educators
Professional learning for educators, media challenges for youth, free lesson plans, podcasts, links to PBS Learning Media for all age students. Here are a few featured asynchronous online courses: Learn new skills or freshen up your media expertise —always free and fun!
- Analyzing Media Messages: Bias, Motivation and Production Choices
With the explosion of media that’s now available, teaching students how to critically read media is more important than ever. Learn how media messages are built not just through scripts but production choices like framing and music and how these choices influence our interpretation and actions. - Evaluating Online Sources: Checking Facts and Identifying Misinformation
Prepare your students to be savvy online researchers by giving them the tools they need to distinguish facts from misinformation. Gain confidence and resources for teaching how to evaluate information and spot unreliable sources. - Implementing and Assessing Student Media Projects
Deeply engage your students through media projects that empower them to creatively communicate their learning and their experience. Choose your focus—audio, video or graphics (like infographics and photo essays)–and learn implementation and assessment techniques specific to that media type.
Microschools and Public Education?
Microschools adapt quickly to the evolving needs of students and families and offer a “fresh” approach to education. This article in EdSource discusses the rise of microschools and what public education needs to know.