Resource Category: LEA Leadership and Staff

Data Research Learning Network: Phase 1 Summary

DESCRIPTION

In January 2023, the I3 Center launched the Data Research Learning Network (DRLN) to support districts and counties in innovating their data and assessment practices. In Phase 1 (Planning), seven select districts and county offices of education conducted deep data dives to identify challenge areas; generate problems of practice that are measurable, achievable, and relevant; and develop innovative action plans. This brief provides an overview of the lessons learned that emerged from the collaborative work of the DRLN throughout the six-month Planning Phase.

PHASE 1 BRIEF

LAUNCH BRIEF 

Independent Study Professional Learning Network

Description

Due to the ongoing pandemic, districts are reassessing their learning options and choosing between traditional independent study and course-based independent study to meet students’ needs. The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) facilitated Professional Learning Community (PLC) from 2021 to 2023 for districts to collaborate. Independent Study Professional Learning Network (ISPLN) meetings focused on addressing independent study challenges, sharing best practices, and problem-solving. Key findings from these convenings include district inconsistencies in understanding policy recommendations, the need for quarterly meetings with State representatives, encouraging information sharing among districts, implementing outreach campaigns, and building statewide partnerships. Feedback from these independent study leads identifies key aspects of independent study policy that other districts may use to improve individual programs and the statewide initiative.

Key Findings and Call to Action

Provide clarification: Address inconsistencies in understanding and interpreting policy recommendations by offering clear guidance and support.
Establish quarterly meetings: Organize regular meetings between district leads and State representatives to ensure clear understanding of policy updates and allow for clarifying questions.
Foster collaboration: Develop and share a comprehensive list of local independent study contact information to facilitate collaboration and resource sharing among districts.
Conduct outreach campaigns: Inform county, district, and charter school independent study leads about policy changes and their impact at the local level.
Build partnerships: Strengthen partnerships with county offices of education to create a statewide professional learning infrastructure and support underserved locales.
Collect feedback: Gather input from independent study leads to identify opportunities for sharing best practices and improving the quality of individual programs and the statewide initiative.
Taking these actions will enhance independent study programs, improve student outcomes, and promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing among districts.

Launch report

African-American Student Success Network

DESCRIPTION

With the launch of CCEE’s Research Practice Partnership (RPP) initiative, five of the original CAAASA Professional Learning Network (PLN) partners have rejoined the network to continue their work to support Black student achievement through their LEA-specific problem of practice, focusing on progress monitoring activities to support the measurement of student outcomes in the coming year. 

Resources

CAAASA-CCEE RPP Handout

RESOURCE TYPE

Reports & Publications

TYPE OF AUDIENCE

Board, Site Administrator / Instructional Coach, Systems Leadership

TOPIC AREA

Systems Leadership

Field Guide 12: Rebounding from Unfinished Teaching and Learning

Description

In Field Guide #12: Rebounding from Unfinished Teaching and Learning (the “Learning Loss”), we aim to guide school district decision-making and resource allocations in such a manner that all students and especially African American students and students from other communities of color will indeed rebound rapidly from the learning loss that resulted from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

California Association of African-American Superintendents & Administrators (CAAASA)

Launch

UDL for Educator Empowerment

Description

This learning path’s goal is to empower California educators with the needed knowledge and skills to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) holistically to their practices as professionals. Designed in partnership with teachers, for teachers, this path contains 6 modules of multimedia content, opportunities for reflection and community, and links to resources to deepen your learning and practice.

DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH

California Teachers

Launch

Microlearning Modules

DESCRIPTION

CCEE’s microlearning resources are short 5-7 minutes videos developed to support immediately applicable strategies, ideas, and resources for substitute teachers and other instructional staff who may not have access to more robust professional learning opportunities.

These are not meant to introduce complex ideas or lessons, but to focus on a single resource or activity to support student learning in a variety of settings.

Learn more here:

MICROLEARNING Modules Website

RESOURCE TYPE

Professional Learning

TYPE OF AUDIENCE

Teacher, Site Administrator / Instructional Coach, Systems Leadership

Statewide System of Support

DESCRIPTION

The California System of Support is a crucial component of the state’s accountability and continuous improvement system, whose guiding principles include equity and local control.

Encompassing entities at all levels, the System of Support is designed to intentionally connect local educational agencies (LEAs), county offices of education (COEs), school districts and charter schools to a network of Lead Agencies (often housed within designated county offices) that offer expertise, programs, and resources to equip local educators with the skills and knowledge to uncover their own solutions. The System of Support also includes many stakeholders, such as advocates, community-based organizations and statewide associations to support LEAs.

The overarching goal of the System of Support is to address inequities and build capacity of LEAs to improve teaching and learning over time, address achievement gaps, and strengthen outreach and collaboration with their stakeholders.

Learn more here:

Statewide system of Support

RESOURCE TYPE

Professional Learning

TYPE OF AUDIENCE

Board, Site Administrator / Instructional Coach, Systems Leadership

TOPIC AREA

Systems Leadership

Community Engagement Initiative

DESCRIPTION

The Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) is a five-year effort intended to strengthen the System of Support by building the capacity of school districts to authentically engage one another.

This includes identifying effective models of community engagement, developing metrics to evaluate those models, having difficult conversations, building trusting relationships and participating in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) development process.

In the 2022-23 school year the CEI represents 44 Local Education Agencies (schools, school districts, and county offices of education) from as far north as Shasta County to as far south as Imperial County.

As part of the 2022 Budget Act, the Legislature and the Governor appropriated $100 million to expand Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) that will now continue through the 2026-2027 school year.

Resource

Community ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE Website

RESOURCE TYPE

Professional Learning

TYPE OF AUDIENCE

Board, Site Administrator / Instructional Coach, Systems Leadership

TOPIC AREA

Community Engagement

21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA)

DESCRIPTION

The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) is a statewide professional learning initiative for administrators and other school leaders. The CCEE and California Department of Education are responsible for establishing a process to organize and offer professional learning opportunities, and select providers.

Over the last two years the initiative has supported the connection between research and practice through the research practice webinars. Each session provides an overview of current research in educational leadership followed by a panel of practitioners discussing the application of the research findings in their respective school settings.

To view an example of these webinars, we encourage you to view Leaders Learning to Lead for Equity.

Resources

21CSLA Research Webinars
22-23 Impact Report – Leading for equity
Free Professional Learning

SLIDES

LAUNCH SLIDES 

Video

RESOURCE TYPE

Professional Learning

TYPE OF AUDIENCE

Board, Site Administrator / Instructional Coach, Systems Leadership

TOPIC AREA

Systems Leadership