NorCal Educator's Digest
December 2024
Quick Access | Main Sections
- NorCal is Building Leadership Capacity for Transformational Change
- Opportunities for Shasta Region Educators
- 21CSLA Statewide Opportunities
- Article Spotlights
- Eucational Resource Spotlights
NorCal ELC is Building Leadership Capacity for Transformational Change
NorCal ELC is focused on assisting school and teacher leaders in the Shasta Region as they engage in school transformation [1] through their improvement work. The project and its programs are designed for participants to increase skills in looking at all student’s needs, applying evidence-based continuous improvement practices, and leading in ways that initiate effective collaboration among colleagues. Because of the important role of small and rural schools, NorCal ELC promotes steps to integrate community voices and values in the formation of visions for schools that best serve students and adults so they can thrive.
Research shows that comprehensive programs of professional learning and support have a higher probability of impacting change that leads to positive student outcomes.[2] Comprehensive programs are characterized by high-quality learning events, opportunities for educators to apply learning in local schools, communities of practice to network with colleagues, and individualized leadership coaching. Each of the main programs of NorCal ELC provides these experiences for participants. NorCal ELC recognizes that change takes time. Educators must teach students while planning, implementing, and testing improvements. We encourage engagement with the project throughout the school year, and across years when needed.
Our programs exemplify what we know about transformation and comprehensive professional learning and include:
- The Local School Teams Program – professional learning for educators as they address local problems of practice,
- The Principals’ Collaborative Support Network – a consultancy experience focused on participating principals case studies, and
- Individualized Leadership Coaching -- through three pathways to serve team leaders, school administrators, and teacher leaders, along with job-alike networking.
NorCal ELC has also compiled resources to support leadership development and equity centered school improvement that are available to anyone with an Internet connection. Here’s a link to ourKnowledge Center and Abeo School Change Digital Toolbox.
If you are participating in any NorCal ELC or 21CSLA programs, thank you for joining with us. If you are interested in our programs or have ideas or questions, contact Dr. Michael Kotar at mkotar@csuchico.edu.
From all of us at NorCal ELC, we wish you a season of happy holidays and rest.
[1]One might think of improvement as getting better at what we already do within the systems we already have (Owen, R. (2021). Can we make real transformative change in education?https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/can_we_make_real_transformative_change_in_education). Whereas transformation envisions rebuilding the system from the student up―with classrooms, schools and systems built around students’ brilliance, cultural wealth, and intellectual potential. (Safir, S. & Dugan, J. (2021). Street Data. Corwin.)
[2] Darling-Hammond, et al. (2024). Developing expert principals: Professional learning that matters. Learning Policy Institute.
Opportunities for the Shasta Region Educators…
UTK Modules 2024-25
Upcoming! Module 5 to be held on Saturday, December 7th and we are still accepting new participants.
NorCal ELC is offering 21CSLA Universal Transitional Kindergarten modules in the Shasta Geo Region in the 2024-25 Academic Year, both virtually and in-person, to prepare school and teacher leaders to better serve TK students and families. Sign-ups for Modules scheduled in Spring 2025 are now open with active flyers to register. For each module, NorCal ELC is offering a $250 stipend to participants upon completion.
View the flyer to access the UTK Modules Schedule and their respective event Google forms.
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. Each CoP meeting will be held on the first Thursday of the month. Next CoP is scheduled for February 6, 2025.
This CoP is an opportunity to TK, K and preschool teachers and admins to:
- Hear about how 21CSLA is approaching UTK and P-3 alignment
- Share needs you have and ideas for partnerships
- Collaborate with regional colleagues
- Share resources and local events
- Connect with others from around the region
Access and share the UTK CoP flyer today!
21CSLA Statewide Opportunities
UTK Leadership Certificate
The UTK Leadership Certificate is a 4-unit online synchronous program offered by UC Berkeley Extension (UNEX). Participants must either be current candidates in a CTC-approved Preliminary Administrative Services Credential or Clear Administrative Services Credential program, or hold a Certificate of Eligibility. The certificate consists of two courses of 10 sessions each. Those who complete both courses will receive a UC Berkeley UTK Leadership Certificate. This program is at no cost to participants through June 2026 as funding is from the California Department of Education.
For more details, see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Research-Practice Webinar, December 12 | Possibilities and Problems of Generative AI as a Resource for Learning
Join us on Thursday, December 12 from 3:30–4:30 pm PT for a research-backed and practice-relevant conversation about how educators can ensure that writing and other forms of meaning making are benefitted rather than harmed by Generative AI.
Ethnic Studies Takeaways from the Stanford Education ConferenceEthnic Studies will be a California high school graduation requirement in 2030. “The conference sparked honest discourse between researchers, curriculum developers, classroom teachers, and teacher educators.” Here are four key ideas:
- Ethnic studies can be transformative for students and society.
- Ethnic studies cannot be taught in a silo; it must draw upon students’ realities.
- Teacher preparation and self-reflection are crucial in the implementation of ethnic studies.
- Researchers are key collaborators in developing ethnic studies programming.
Read the full article: Teaching Ethnic Studies - Four Takeaways from Stanford Education Conference.
Article Spotlights
California Assessment Results
The California Department of Education (CDE) released assessment results in October that show continued progress made by California’s K–12 students, including accelerated progress closing equity gaps for socioeconomically disadvantaged students, Black/African American students, and Hispanic/Latino students.
The CAASPP and ELPAC summary reports are available to the public. Access the Test Results for California’s Assessments website.
Now Available! CA PBIS October Conference Event Archive
Were you not able to attend the CA PBIS Conference in October 2024? No problem. Take a look at the recorded sessions including slides and resources from over 70 speakers!
You’ll find:
- Reframing School Discipline with an Equity Lens
- Leveraging Teacher Leaders to Strengthen Tier 1 and Tier 2 Supports
- Wellness Room: Soothing Sanctuaries: Designing Spaces for Mindfulness
- And much more!
Access the CA PBIS Event Archive.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in High School Students
The Center for Disease Control released the first national report on the prevalence of ACEs among U.S. high school students. This report uses 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data to estimate associations between ACEs and several health conditions and behaviors. “ACEs were common, with approximately three in four students (76.1%) experiencing one or more ACEs and approximately one in five students (18.5%) experiencing four or more ACEs.”
From ASCD | Creating an Empowerment Culture: A Blueprint for Success
“Leaders can create an empowerment culture by building trust, fostering communication and offering support”, writes Naphtali Hoff.
Click here to access the article.
GRAD Partnership Rural School Spotlight: McArthur, CA
Even though this was published in 2023 by the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC), it highlights important improvement work at a North state school: Fall River High School, supported by RSC’s Northern California Regional Hub partners at North State Together.
Educational Resource Spotlights
New School Climate Tool
From West Ed and California Center for School Climate: “The School Climate Domain Assessment Tool is designed to evaluate the breadth and depth of school wide initiatives aimed at improving school climate. This tool provides guidance for educators who are looking for resources to foster a nurturing and productive school atmosphere.”
Read more on the assessment tool.
PBS – Teaching Resources for Leonardo Da Vinci
Learn how Leonardo da Vinci’s innovative approach to observation and depiction changed the way art and creativity are used to interpret environments, landscapes, and maps.
Access this resource provided by PBS LearningMedia.
Webinar Series | Reimagining Education: Transforming High School for Powerful Learning
This Learning Policy Institute webinar series, based on the report Redesigning High School: 10 Features for Success, surfaces the key features of California schools that have successfully transformed high schools, and includes speakers who have put these approaches into practice.
Learn more about the webinar series and to register.
California’s Statewide System of Support Resource Hub
This is where educators can find information about state-funded initiatives, resources, and contact information for System of Support partners, to employ best practices, facilitate improvement plans, and improve student outcomes.
Access the resources hub provided by CCEE.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Game Maker Awards
The U.S. National Science Foundation Game Maker Awards is an exciting opportunity for students in grades K-12 to showcase their creativity, technical skills and passion for game design. The competition aims to make STEM subjects exciting and accessible, encouraging students to imagine life in the year 2100 and the role science and technology will play in shaping the future. Win up to $8,500 in various prize categories.