Education Beat

While other UC’s turn away tens of thousands of qualified students annually, UC Merced faces the opposite challenge. The campus struggles to find students willing to accept its location, surrounded by farmland and pastures where cows often graze. But some students are attracted to the small student population, the accessible rent prices and the research opportunities. Guests: Brian Arroyo, fourth-year mechanical engineering major, UC Merced Michael Burke, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: How UC Merced is trying to attract students after years of slow growth As enrollment flattens at most University of California campuses, it surges at Riverside Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

Julie Edwards' daughter brought home a Chromebook from school in second grade to do work in math and reading apps. But as soon as she cracked it open, she started watching Youtube videos and playing Minecraft. Soon, Julie realized she was spending a lot of time on screens in the classroom, too. Research shows that too much screen time can hurt children’s development and mental health. But since the pandemic, schools have used more and more technology, from learning apps for math and reading to Youtube videos for music and story time. As early as kindergarten, children receive tablets or laptops to take home from school. Parents in districts across the country, including in Los Angeles Unified School District, are organizing to limit screen time in school. Guests: Julie Edwards, parent, Schools Beyond Screens Mallika Seshadri, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Parents push for reduced screen time a year after Los Angeles Unified bans cellphones Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

Fresno Unified School District and the local teachers union are paying for a program that has housed 20 families. The families are also offered classes and resources to help them get better jobs and more stability. The district says the program is boosting students' attendance, grades and overall wellbeing. Guests: Andrés Rodríguez, district liaison for students experiencing foster care and homelessness, Fresno Unified School District Lasherica Thornton, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Fresno school district, teachers union get families housed Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

Students from all over Los Angeles flock to Hollywood High School’s New Media Academy to learn video production and animation. They produce their own films, from horror-comedy about ghost hunting to documentaries about historical figures. At the same time, they get the opportunity to build connections with entertainment industry professionals. The successful magnet arts program also boasts a 100% graduation rate. Guests: Mawuena Akorli, student, New Media Academy, Hollywood High Vani Sanganeria, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Hollywood High helps student filmmakers break into film and TV Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Judith Larson’s daughter was in sixth grade in Los Angeles Unified School District. The family waited months for a school computer and internet access, so that she could join classes online. As her daughter fell further and further behind, Judith decided to take action. She is one of the plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit filed against LAUSD alleging that students were denied “basic educational equality" during the pandemic. A settlement was recently reached in the case, requiring the district to offer intensive "high-dose" tutoring to 100,000 students for three years. Guests: Judith Larson, mother, Los Angeles Unified School District Mallika Seshadri, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: LAUSD is now accountable for high-dosage tutoring as settlement is approved Parents, LAUSD settle suit; 100,000 students get 45 tutoring hours for three years Districts still have learning recovery money: Why not spend it on tutoring? Podcast: Why aren't more districts investing in tutoring? Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

Teachers across California are going on strike or threatening to do so this school year, calling for better pay, benefits, smaller class sizes and better working conditions for special education. At the same time, school districts say their budgets are extremely tight this year and they’re contemplating school closures and mass layoffs. This episode dives into these two seemingly conflicting priorities, with voices from a roundtable discussion on the issue. Voices: Michael Fine, chief executive officer, Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) David Goldberg, president, California Teachers' Association Brittoni Ward, president, Twin Rivers United Educators Diana Lambert, senior reporter, EdSource Watch the roundtable and read more from EdSource: What can schools afford? Experts discuss teachers strikes and funding priorities Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

At Antioch High School in Contra Costa County, 80 students serve as peer advocates, mentoring freshmen during their transition to high school, meeting with students who have been found with alcohol or drugs, and facilitating mediation between students who are having conflicts. There's been a surge in school programs like this one, where students counsel or mentor other students. And they seem to be paying off, both for students who receive the mentoring and for the advocates themselves. Guests: Cristian Topete, Peer advocate and student, Antioch High School Vani Sanganeria, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Students become lifeline for peers facing suspensions, mental health struggles Estudiantes se convierten en apoyo vital para sus compañeros que enfrentan suspensiones y problemas de salud mental. Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

Arizona State University has been expanding its footprint in California for years and some students here say it offered programs they could not have found at California colleges. But the California Student Aid Commission has denied Arizona State's requests for Cal Grants, saying state law does not open the program to out-of-state public universities. Guests: Jessica Lopez, California-based graduate, Arizona State University Amy DiPierro, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Arizona State navigates financial aid pitfalls of California expansion Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

California's Assembly Bill 218 made it possible for childhood abuse victims to sue public agencies up to their 40th birthday or five years after discovering the abuse. Advocates say the law has allowed victims to find justice and peace after life-damaging assaults. The law sparked a flurry of lawsuits, and school districts have had to pay billions of dollars in settlements, with no end in sight. Even districts that have not faced any abuse allegations involving employees are also paying for settlements, because they pool the costs with other districts. It's created a difficult dilemma. Guests: Tara Campanella, chief business officer, Bass Lake School District Thomas Peele, investigative reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: California school districts pay for abuse settlements despite no claims California lawmakers weigh reforms to child abuse law amid costly litigation Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

Fresno Unified invested $30 million in services for children and families that go beyond traditional academics, from housing assistance and food pantries to digital music production and lunchtime sports programs. Teachers say the programs are getting students excited about being at school, and addressing some of the barriers that made it hard for them to get to school or to learn once there. Guests: Eugene Reinor, Principal, Fort Miller Middle School, Fresno Unified School District Hector Giovanni Romero, Music teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, Fresno Unified School District Lasherica Thornton, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Fresno Unified's $30 million investment to support students is paying off Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

As a saxophonist in Boston’s Klezmer Conservatory Band in 1985, Merryl Goldberg traveled to the Soviet Union to meet up with another group of musicians, The Phantom Orchestra. The Phantom Orchestra would be sharing more than good tunes with Merryl.  They’d also pass along information, including the names of people who wanted to escape the Soviet Union, which Merryl and her friends would then smuggle back to the United States. To do this, Merryl made up a secret code, hidden in sheet music. Now Merryl’s spy days are long behind her. But she is still passionate about how music and other arts can enrich other fields, including cybersecurity. Guests: Merryl Goldberg, Professor, California State University San Marcos Karen D’Souza, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Merryl Goldberg, a music professor on a mission to spread arts education Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Fausto Lopez was arrested at 16 years old and ordered to spend seven years in a juvenile facility. But before he had even finished half of that time, he finished high school, got an associate degree and applied to attend a four-year college. How did this young man find the drive and support to propel him to such academic success? Do other incarcerated young people have the same opportunities? Guests: Fausto Lopez, Student, Cal State San Bernardino Betty Márquez Rosales, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: How a young man serving a sentence in juvenile facilities made it out one class at a time Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube