Resource Category: Governance (Research & Policy)

Open Door Session – Morongo Unified’s Journey Through the Statewide System of Support

Session Description

Morongo Unified School District is demonstrating what’s possible when systems-level structures and classroom practices work in harmony. In this Open Door session, the district shares how it is leveraging the Statewide System of Support (SSOS) including Universal Design for Learning (UDL), instructional rounds, and data-informed reflection to strengthen teaching, learning, and equitable access for all students.

Through intentional goal setting, strategic use of UDL frameworks, and collaboration with partners such as Open Access, Morongo is building a sustainable approach that turns statewide resources into site-level action. This session highlights the district’s journey, key insights, and practical tools that other LEAs can apply right away.

Presenters

  • Leah Padilla, Coordinator, Open Access
  • Laurie Balsano Wright, Coordinator, Open Access
  • Eric Smith, SELPA Program Specialist, Morongo USD
  • Jennifer Smith, MTSS Coordinator, Morongo USD
  • Moderator: Zach Smith, WestEd

About the Open Door Series

The Open Door series is hosted by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to spotlight authentic stories, tools, and strategies from across the state that promote equitable student outcomes.

🔗 Explore All Open Door Sessions

SESSION MATERIALS – Coming Soon!

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

Additional RESOURCES

California Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program Informational Webinars

The Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program supports California middle and high schools in transforming traditional models into student-centered learning environments that cultivate strong relationships, promote deeper learning, and prepare students to apply knowledge to real-world challenges.

Led by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) in partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE) and the State Board of Education (SBE), this statewide initiative invests in networks of schools already engaged in redesign efforts. These networks serve as demonstration sites, sharing what works, identifying barriers, and building capacity for sustainable change.

Below you will find informational webinars introducing the pilot and application process.

Upcoming Informational Webinars

CA Secondary School redesign: Eligibility and Pilot Overview

September 18 | 12pm

SESSION MATERIALS:

Session SLIDES
FAQS

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

California Secondary School Redesign: Eligibility and Application Overview

October 9 | 12pm

SESSION MATERIALS:

Session slides

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

Open Door Session – UDL in Motion: Leadership, Tools and Continuous Improvement

📄 About This Session

Join us for an inspiring and practical webinar highlighting how Carlsbad Unified School District is transforming teaching and learning through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Featuring district leaders, site principals, and their professional development partner, this session will showcase the tools, strategies, and systems that supported their UDL implementation—along with the real-world impact on students and educators. Learn how the district built momentum through the CA Coalition for Inclusive Learning grant and discover how they plan to sustain and expand this work beyond the grant period. Whether you’re just beginning your UDL journey or looking to deepen your practice, this session offers valuable insights and resources for creating more inclusive, equitable learning environments.

🎙️ Featured Speakers

  • Emma Cobb, Principal, Jefferson Elementary
  • Nicki Rudden, MTSS Teacher, Jefferson Elementary
  • Karen Knudson, Assistant Principal, Carlsbad High School
  • Kimberly Fuentes, Director, Elementary Education, Carlsbad Unified
  • Mary Martin, Instructional Specialist, Carlsbad Unified
  • Michael Ecker, Student Services, Carlsbad Unified
  • Shamryn Coyle, CCIL Director, Placer County Office of Education
  • Moderator: Sehrish Anjum, Senior Program Specialist, CCEE

🧭 About the Open Door Series

The Open Door series is hosted by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to spotlight authentic stories, tools, and strategies from across the state that promote equitable student outcomes.

🔗 Explore All Open Door Sessions

SESSION MATERIALS

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

RESOURCES

California Statewide System of Support  

Open Door Session: Driving Safer Schools with Daily Huddles: Hemet USD’s Blueprint for Action and Impact

📄 About This Session

Discover how Hemet Unified School District transformed student behavior and campus safety through a daily, data-driven collaboration process. By combining real-time data tracking with focused, action-oriented huddles, Hemet USD empowered site leaders and staff to identify challenges early, solve problems collectively, and deliver immediate improvements. Learn how this simple but powerful system led to measurable reductions in student aggression and suspensions—and how you can adapt these strategies to drive change in your own schools.

🎙️ Featured Speakers

  • Christi Barrett, Ph.D., Superintendent, Hemet USD
  • Jennifer Martin, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Improvement and Analytics
  • Moderator: Rocio Gonzalez-Frausto, Ed.D., Senior Advisor, Teaching Learning and Leading, CCEE

🧭 About the Open Door Series

The Open Door series is hosted by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to spotlight authentic stories, tools, and strategies from across the state that promote equitable student outcomes.

🔗 Explore All Open Door Sessions

SESSION MATERIALS

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

RESOURCES

Open Door Session: Empowering Black Student Success – Fresno Unified’s Blueprint for Graduation and A–G Completion

📄 About This Session

In this session, Fresno Unified School District highlights its efforts to increase graduation and A–G completion rates for African American students through the African American Student Leadership Academy (AASLA) and the African American 9th Grade Academy (AA9A).

From cultivating university partnerships to embedding student and family voice into program design, the district team walks us through the strategies, tools, and lessons that have shaped their work. Student and parent panelists bring these stories to life, sharing firsthand how mentorship and culturally responsive practices have impacted their educational journeys.

Whether you’re a district administrator, school leader, or equity champion, this webinar offers actionable insights and inspiration to inform your local efforts.

💬 Key Takeaways

  • Weekly mentorship check-ins are most impactful when paired with academic and social-emotional support.
  • Student voices must inform program design and evaluation.
  • University partnerships (e.g., with UC Merced, Fresno State) provide powerful opportunities for early exposure and long-term goal setting.
  • Family engagement and consistent communication are cornerstones of sustainable progress.

🎙️ Featured Speakers

  • Dr. Kimberly Hendricks-Brown – Principal on Special Assignment, Office of African American Academic Acceleration, FUSD
  • Dr. Lisa Mitchell – Executive Director, Office of African American Academic Acceleration, FUSD
  • Fresno Unified Student Panelists – AASLA Scholars from multiple cohort years
  • Parent Voice – Perspective from a participating parent
  • Moderator: Italo Ciccarelli, CCEE

🧭 About the Open Door Series

The Open Door series is hosted by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to spotlight authentic stories, tools, and strategies from across the state that promote equitable student outcomes.

🔗 Explore All Open Door Sessions

SESSION MATERIALS

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

RESOURCES

Open Door Session: Making Every Assessment Count – Eliminating Redundancy, Prioritizing Meaningful Data

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the resource hub for our Open Door session on Making Every Assessment Count: Eliminating Redundancy, Prioritizing Meaningful Data, featuring insights from Bakersfield City School District.

This session explores how BCSD took a strategic approach to reexamining its assessment system—conducting a thorough inventory, refining the assessment calendar, and ensuring a balanced approach that prioritizes both instructionally useful assessments and meaningful data collection.

What You’ll Find on This Page:

📽️ Recorded Webinar – Watch the full session to learn how BCSD streamlined assessments to better align with instructional priorities.

📑 Presentation Slide Deck – Download the slides used during the session.

🛠️ Assessment Inventory & Planning Tools – Access resources to help your district evaluate and optimize its own assessment practices.

In This Session, You’ll Learn:

✅ How BCSD conducted an inventory of existing assessments to identify redundancies.

✅ Strategies for refining an assessment calendar to prioritize high-value data collection.

✅ Lessons learned in balancing assessments to support both instruction and accountability.

If you’re looking for actionable strategies to streamline assessments, reduce redundancy, and focus on meaningful data, these materials provide practical insights to support your district’s continuous improvement efforts.

📥 Access the Materials Below!

Explore the resources and take the next step in optimizing your district’s assessment system.

PRESENTERS

  • Brooke Smothers-Strizic – Executive Director, Data & Assessment, Bakersfield City School District
  • Avilene Cueto – Program Specialist, Data & Assessment, Bakersfield City School District
  • Dorcas Kong – Senior Specialist, Executive Projects, CCEE

SESSION MATERIALS

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

RESOURCES

Open Door Session: Enhancing LCAP Monitoring & Evaluation: Insights from Riverside COE and Lake Elsinore USD

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the resource hub for our Open Door session on Enhancing LCAP Monitoring & Evaluation, presented in partnership with the Riverside County Office of Education and Lake Elsinore USD.

This session highlights Riverside COE’s LCAP Monitoring & Evaluation Tracking Tool—a powerful resource designed to help districts effectively monitor, evaluate, and refine their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) and School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).

What You’ll Find on This Page:

📽️ Recorded Webinar – Watch the full session to gain insights from experts.

📑 Presentation Slide Deck – Download the slides used during the session.

🔗 LCAP Monitoring & Evaluation Tracking Tool – Access this valuable resource to support your district’s planning and improvement efforts.

In this session, representatives from Riverside COE and Lake Elsinore USD share:

✅ How the tool was developed and implemented.

✅ Strategies for effectively monitoring and refining LCAPs and SPSAs.

✅ Firsthand experiences from a district using the tool.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your district’s LCAP processes or seeking efficient ways to align your SPSA, these materials provide practical strategies and actionable insights to enhance your work.

📥 Access the Materials Below!

Explore the resources and take the next step in refining your district’s planning and evaluation processes.

PRESENTERS

  • Dr. Melissa Bazanos Hutton, Executive Director, Riverside County Office of Education
  • Elizabeth Atkinson, Director – LCAP and State/Federal Programs, Lake Elsinore Unified School District  
  • Alisha Morff, Administrator, Riverside County Office of Education
  • Lisa Winberg, Administrator, Riverside County Office of Education
  • Naomi Dimacali, Director, Riverside County Office of Education

SESSION MATERIALS

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

RESOURCES

Open Door Session: The Role of Health and Attendance Guidance in Boosting School Attendance

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the final session of our Chronic Absenteeism Bright Spots series! This session focuses on how clear health and attendance guidance can significantly improve student attendance and foster a supportive school culture. Through a panel discussion with leaders from Livingston Union School District, you’ll gain insights into real-world strategies for communicating effectively about health and attendance. These strategies prioritize the well-being of students, families, and staff, ensuring that everyone in the school community is informed and engaged.

Explore how schools can create a healthier, more connected environment where students thrive and attendance rates improve. Access the session recording and resources to discover actionable guidance for enhancing your school’s approach to health, attendance, and community well-being.

PRESENTERS

Sujie Shin, Deputy Executive Director, CCEE

Kevin Gee, Director, School Policy, Action, and Research Center (SPARC)

Helen Duffy, Senior Fellow, Attendance Works

Maria Torres-Perez, Director of Categorical Programs & Special Projects, Livingston Union School District

Lori Morgan, Nurse, Livingston Union School District

Stella Montanez, Principal, Selma Herndon Elementary

SESSION MATERIALS

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

Webinar Recording

RESOURCES

Open Door: The Role of Social-Emotional Learning in Boosting School Attendance

DESCRIPTION

The second session of our Chronic Absenteeism Bright Spots series will explore the connection between social-emotional learning (SEL) and school attendance. This session will examine how SEL is crucial in keeping students engaged and present. Through a panel discussion with Kings Canyon Unified School District, you’ll gain insights into how schools promote the social-emotional health of students and families, foster emotional and physical connections within the school community, and integrate SEL into daily practices. We’ll also discuss how ELOP (Expanded Learning Opportunities Program) funding has strengthened SEL connections, addressed challenges, and formed innovative partnerships. Join us to learn how enhancing social-emotional well-being can lead to improved attendance and a more connected school environment.

PRESENTERS

Sujie Shin, Deputy Executive Director, CCEE

Kevin Gee, Director, School Policy, Action, and Research Center (SPARC)

Helen Duffy, Senior Fellow, Attendance Works

Greg Visser, Principal, Washington Elementary School, Kings Canyon Unified

Patricia Ledesma, Principal, Jefferson Elementary, Kings Canyon Unified

Norma Doerksen, Social Worker, TL Reed Elementary, Kings Canyon Unified

SESSION MATERIALS

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

Webinar Recording

RESOURCES

  • Kings Canyon USD – Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Learning Website
  • Bright Spot Factsheet
  • Webinar Session’s Padlet
  • Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) – Website
  • Is your child missing school due to anxiety? – Anxiety Handout
  • Using Chronic Absence Data to Improve Conditions of Learning – Website
  • Early Matters: Cultivating Engagement and Attendance in Kindergarten – Website
  • CCEE Microlearning Video – Supporting Social Emotional Well-Being

Open Door: Elevating School Attendance Through Meaningful Engagement

DESCRIPTION

Discover actionable strategies to address chronic absenteeism and strengthen connections within your school community in this engaging Open Door session, the first of a 3-part series. We’ll explore why chronic absence matters, as evidenced by national and state data, and dive into the critical role trust and engagement play in boosting attendance–especially post-pandemic. Through a panel discussion with Cypress, one of three Bright Spots districts, you’ll gain insights on how to build meaningful family and student engagement, rebuild trust, and implement effective strategies. You’ll also walk away with practical tools to create a supportive environment where every student feels valued.

PRESENTERS

Sujie Shin, Deputy Executive Director, CCEE

Kevin Gee, Director, School Policy, Action, and Research Center (SPARC)

Helen Duffy, Senior Fellow, Attendance Works

Tina Ochoa, Senior Fellow, Attendance Works

Jacki Teschke, Principal, Clara King Elementary

Tanya Alvarez, Teacher, Clara King Elementary

Vickie Ohlman, Administrative Assistant, Clara King Elementary

SESSION MATERIALS

SLIDES

WEBINAR VIDEO RECORDING

Webinar Recording

RESOURCES