Author: Sehrish Anjum

In Spring 2025, Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) regained full local control of its schools after more than two decades under state receivership, a milestone that marks the culmination of deep-rooted, sustained efforts led by the Solano County Office of Education (SCOE), the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), and VCUSD. Their shared goal: build systems that prioritize equity, transparency, and outcomes for students most in need.

This powerful partnership exemplifies what is possible when agencies align around student-centered values and a shared theory of action. Their journey showcases the core values of Collaboration, Clarity, and Courage, values that guided every step of their work to rebuild trust, shift mindsets, and strengthen systems from within.

Building a Foundation for Local Control

VCUSD’s journey from fiscal crisis to local governance began with a bold step in 2018, when SCOE referred the district for CCEE’s Direct Technical Assistance (DTA). This move catalyzed a transformative partnership, allowing for the creation of cross-functional teams, aligned leadership structures, and data practices that focused on inquiry and improvement.

Superintendent Lisette Estrella-Henderson, who is retiring after more than 40 years in education, played a pivotal role. Her leadership helped solidify a countywide vision for supporting Vallejo, one rooted in collective responsibility and a belief in the potential of every student.

A Culture Shift: From Data Gaps to Shared Accountability

With new leadership, including VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio came renewed efforts to build a culture of trust and learning. SCOE and CCEE supported the development of structures that empowered school leaders, elevated teacher voice, and reestablished data as a tool for equity rather than compliance.

Key efforts included aligning site leadership teams, investing in the capacity of central office staff, and expanding professional learning through CCEE’s Superintendent Professional Learning Network. As a result, leaders across the district began using data collaboratively to drive improvement and build shared accountability for student success.

IAM in Action: Transforming a School, Inspiring a District

One standout example of this work is Federal Terrace Elementary School, a participant in CCEE’s Intensive Assistance Model (IAM). By implementing the Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work framework, Federal Terrace fostered a culture of teacher leadership, targeted instruction, and student-centered decision-making.

The results speak for themselves: the school now has the highest kindergarten reading scores in the district. More importantly, the model created a replicable structure of success that VCUSD is working to scale districtwide.

Sustainable Change, Enduring Impact

VCUSD’s fiscal recovery required difficult decisions, including school closures and budget cuts but was anchored by a commitment to preserving the academic core. Through it all, the district’s partnership with SCOE and CCEE ensured that decisions were informed by data and aligned with long-term goals for equity and excellence. This collaboration will continue as the team supports the district’s ongoing efforts to improve student academic outcomes through continuous improvement.

As Superintendent Estrella-Henderson transitions into retirement, her legacy is visible in the systems, partnerships, and trust built throughout this journey. The collaborative work in Solano County stands as a beacon for what sustainable change can look like when state, county, and local agencies move together with shared purpose.

This collaboration will continue as the team supports the district’s ongoing efforts to improve student academic outcomes through continuous improvement.

Below is an AI-generated podcast version of this Hot Topic for those who prefer audio. Listen in for a quick, narrated overview of the story.

For additional updates, visit the CCEE website, events calendar, Resource Center, and the Statewide System of Support Website.

The African American Student Success Network (AASSN), a partnership between the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) and the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA), is entering its third year of supporting LEAs in advancing equity for Black students.

Through cross-district collaboration, evidence-based strategies, and the strategic use of data, AASSN empowers educational leaders to identify and dismantle systemic barriers that impact African American student outcomes. At the recent 2025 CAAASA Summit, participating districts showcased bold, equity-centered work, highlighting efforts to reduce disproportionality, improve engagement, and elevate student and family voice.

To support continued learning and impact, the network has released two new resources: a presentation slide deck featuring district case studies, and a session handout summarizing core strategies.

Together, we are building the capacity for transformational change, grounded in brave leadership and a commitment to student success. To learn more and access resources, visit the African American Student Success Network resource page.

For additional updates, visit the CCEE website, events calendar, Resource Center, and the Statewide System of Support Website.

As educators, our ultimate goal is to ensure that every student thrives in an environment tailored to their diverse needs. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework provides a transformative approach to fostering inclusivity and equity. To support this mission, we are thrilled to introduce the UDL Data Toolkit—a comprehensive resource designed to help educators measure, monitor, and refine their UDL implementation with precision and purpose.

The UDL Data Toolkit, collaboratively developed with partners like Riverside County Office of Education, Placer County SELPA, and WestEd, equips local educational agencies (LEAs) with tools and strategies to create effective learning environments for all students. By using this resource, educational leaders can not only measure the impact of UDL but also ensure alignment with broader district priorities such as equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Key Features of the UDL Data Toolkit:

1. Comprehensive Data Collection: The toolkit provides structured guidance on collecting data across students, educators, leaders, and systems, offering a holistic view of UDL implementation.
2. Multiple Levels of Data Analysis: From district-wide trends (large grain) to classroom-level insights (fine grain), this resource ensures actionable data at every level.
3. Practical Tools and Resources: Includes no-cost assets such as surveys, rubrics, observation tools, and self-assessments tailored to diverse educational settings.
4. Focus on Data Ethics and Privacy: Aligns with best practices to ensure data governance and student privacy while fostering transparency and trust.

This resource exemplifies the commitment of the Statewide System of Support to empower educators with practical tools for real-world challenges. By integrating data-driven strategies with UDL principles, this toolkit helps schools create learning environments where every student can succeed academically, behaviorally, and socio-emotionally.

We invite educators to take advantage of this robust resource to refine their UDL practices and drive meaningful change in their schools and districts. Together, let’s embrace the power of data to create inclusive and equitable education for all.

For more information or assistance, please visit our website. Stay connected for updates and upcoming resources via our events calendar and the Statewide System of Support Resource Hub.

As the Executive Director of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), I am excited to continue sharing our strategic priorities for the 2024-2025 school year, including our focus on utilizing data to maximize impacts for students statewide. Our goal is to refine data collection processes, develop clear measurable objectives tied to all initiatives, and leverage advanced analytics to identify trends and areas for improvement. This ensures every initiative has clarity on and access to data that drives meaningful outcomes. Through focused data-driven insights, we can support LEAs in addressing their unique challenges, fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the state. One crucial area in this effort is the streamlining of assessment systems to improve educational decision-making and outcomes.

Overview:

Assessment systems play a pivotal role in shaping the quality of education, yet they can often become cluttered and inefficient. Over-assessment, duplicative evaluations, and misaligned approaches can burden educators and students alike, leading to a loss of valuable instructional time. To address these challenges, it is essential to adopt a balanced assessment system—one that delivers diverse, meaningful data to inform educational decisions while freeing up time for teaching and learning.

Solution:

The Assessment System Review online learning path, developed in collaboration with the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment, offers educators a structured approach to evaluate and refine their assessment practices. This learning path provides the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to conduct a thorough review of all assessments students complete throughout the year.

The learning path is broken into six modules:

• Module 0: Introduction to the Learning Pathway
• Module 1: Prepare to Launch
  Module 2: Clarify the Instructional Vision
• Module 3: Reflect on Assessment System Needs
  Module 4: Conduct the Inventory
• Module 5: Evaluate the Inventory of Assessments & Write Recommendations
• Module 6: Create an Action Plan
  

These modules guide teams through a detailed process, helping educators identify areas of over-assessment, ensure assessments serve the right purpose, and optimize instructional time. The flexible format allows teams to move at their own pace and adapt the learning path to meet their specific needs.

Call to Action:

Empower your school or district by embarking on the Assessment System Review Learning Path. Begin your journey today and start making informed, data-driven decisions that enhance student learning experiences. Visit the learning path for more details.

Stay tuned for more updates on how CCEE is supporting educators statewide in leveraging data for improved educational outcomes.

Chronic Absenteeism poses a significant challenges in California. This Hot Topic highlights successful strategies from the CCEE Bright Spots Fact Sheet and Attendance Works to address this issue effectively.

Key Highlights from CCEE Bright Spots:

1. Supportive Leadership: Principals lead cross-departmental teams to tackle attendance barriers.
2. Strategic Data Use: Real-time attendance data drives proactive support for students and families.
3. Building Trust: Developing trusting relationships between schools and families fosters a supportive environment.
4. Clear Guidance: Clear health and attendance guidelines help reduce health-related absences.

Key Strategies from Attendance Works:

1. Identify Barriers: Use data to identify and address systemic barriers affecting attendance.
2. Understand Root Causes: Analyze factors contributing to absenteeism using qualitative and quantitative data.
3. Targeted Interventions:
   • Safe Routes: Ensure safe routes to school to mitigate neighborhood dangers.
   • Classroom Breakfast: Implement breakfast programs to improve attendance.
   • Afterschool Programs: Provide access to quality afterschool programs.
   • Recess Programs: Utilize recess interventions to reduce behavioral issues

Call to Action: Review the findings from the Bright Spots Fact Sheet and Attendance Works resources. Implement these strategies to foster an environment that supports regular attendance and academic success.

For more information, refer to the Bright Spots Fact Sheet and Attendance Works Guide.

If you have any questions about CCEE and how to engage with our resources and professional learning opportunities, please visit our website. Stay Ahead in Education! 📚 Check out our Podcast Rising from the Margins, Statewide System of Support Directory, and Friday 5! Join CCEE’s ListServ & Calendar Updates to Never Miss an Event. Sign Up Now for Limitless Learning Opportunities. 🌟 #CCEEConnections”