Education Beat

EdSource reporter and Education Beat host Zaidee Stavely visits a school that’s had an uncommonly high degree of success with teaching English learners to read: Frank Sparkes Elementary, in Winton, about 10 miles from Merced, in California’s Central Valley. Voices: Ka Vang, Principal, Frank Sparkes Elementary, Winton School District Jennifer Pursley, Kindergarten teacher, Frank Sparkes Elementary, Winton School District Sandra Morales, First grade teacher, Frank Sparkes Elementary, Winton School District Patty Lopez, Third grade teacher, Frank Sparkes Elementary, Winton School District Acela Middleton, Third grade teacher, Frank Sparkes Elementary, Winton School District Patricia Espinola, Third grade teacher, Frank Sparkes Elementary, Winton School District Students, Frank Sparkes Elementary, Winton School District Randall Heller, Superintendent, Winton School District Read more from EdSource: How one school gets English learners to read by third grade Q&A: What research says on teaching English learners to read Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

What’s the best way to teach media literacy? How does a society build and maintain a free press that can earn and keep the people’s trust? EdSource reporter, Carolyn Jones, recently visited Albania on a mission to help develop the country’s K-12 media literacy guidelines. Her experience there highlighted challenges both in that country and back here at home. Guests: Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource Read more: We’re not doing enough to teach media literacy This episode of Education Beat is hosted by EdSource’s Ashley A, Smith and produced by Coby McDonald.

When a young person leaves juvenile detention, studies have shown that how they do in school can influence whether or not they end up back in detention. But succeeding in school after detention isn’t easy. In Oakland, Hattie Tate has found some innovative ways to give these students the best possible shot following release from detention. Guests: Hattie Tate, Administrator and program coordinator, Oakland Unified School District Betty Márquez Rosales, Reporter, EdSource Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Almost half of California children have at least one immigrant parent, and about a fifth of immigrants in California are undocumented. The immigration struggles of parents have real impacts on children, including on their education. In this episode, we bring you the story of a Central Valley dad who was finally able to return to the U.S. last month, after almost four years separated from his family by a Trump-era immigration policy. His return allows his children to work toward college degrees. Voices: José Luis Ruiz Arévalos Armanda Ruiz Elena Gutiérrez Ramírez Nathan Gutiérrez Ramírez Ignacio Gutiérrez Ramírez Priscila Ruiz Ramírez Erin Quinn, Senior managing attorney, Immigrant Legal Resource Center Read more from EdSource: Family reunited after four years separated by Trump-era immigration policy How immigration policy forced a California family apart and disrupted their education Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Jennifer Molina contributed to the reporting for this episode.

Some community colleges in California are starting to offer their own bachelor’s degrees. One newly approved program is in ecosystem restoration and applied fire management at Feather River College, in Plumas County in northeast California. Can this program help more students get bachelor’s degrees and at the same time help restore a region devastated by wildfires? Guests: Hayden Lampe, Prospective student, Feather River College Michael Burke, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Students at rural community college can earn a bachelor’s and help prevent wildfires Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Do you remember your work-study job in college? Many students work in jobs such as serving food in the dining hall or shelving books in the library. But those jobs don’t often have much to do with what they’re studying or are interested in doing later in life. A new program seeks to give students both an income and a leg up in their careers. How can this benefit both students and employers? Guests: Karina Mendez, Student, City College of San Francisco Emma Gallegos, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: California reconsiders the potential of college work-study jobs Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

In an effort to end the teacher shortage, California has invested hundreds of millions in recent years to fund teacher residency programs, in which residents work alongside veteran teacher mentors while they finish their credentials. Proponents say the programs improve the quality of teaching. But many student teachers are unwilling to sign up because the stipends are small, or nonexistent. Listen to one teacher resident’s experience, and why she’s not sure it was the best decision. Guests: Risty Begum, Teacher Resident, Yolo Teacher Residency Program Diana Lambert, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: California sinks millions into teacher residency programs, but many can’t afford to enroll Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Have you ever thought about launching into space? One West Contra Costa Unified science teacher has done more than think about it. He’s preparing to become an astronaut. How does a budding astronaut engage his middle school students and involve them in his journey? And how does that help them get interested in science? Guests: Olaoluwalotobi Thomas, Teacher, Vista Virtual Academy, West Contra Costa Unified Ali Tadayon, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: West Contra Costa Unified teacher trains to be an astronaut while teaching students about space Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

California is expanding dual immersion programs statewide, after repealing a law that limited bilingual education. A Hmong-English dual language immersion program in Fresno Unified helps children learn their grandparents’ language and culture, and it promotes cross-cultural understanding. This episode includes a visit to Vang Pao Elementary School in Fresno Unified and audio from a teacher, a student and the principal. Guests: Sharon Vang, fourth grade teacher, Vang Pao Elementary School, Fresno Unified School District Yua Lee, principal, Vang Pao Elementary School, Fresno Unified School District Irene Her, student, Vang Pao Elementary School, Fresno Unified School District Ashleigh Panoo, reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Hmong is a ‘dying’ language – but it’s being preserved at this Fresno school California to boost number of bilingual teachers in Asian languages Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

About 3 in 5 third graders in California don’t meet state standards in reading and writing. To try to help more kids learn to read, some districts are shifting their strategies. In Oakland, parents and other family members have taken a frontline position as literacy tutors. What’s the advantage of using family members as tutors? And how can they help boost children’s reading skills? Guests: Ruelvis Alonga, Uncle and early literacy tutor, Oakland Unified School District Karen D’Souza, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Learning to read by third grade requires evidence-based instruction, panel says California’s Reading Dilemma Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Black students face ever-increasing rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. But one group of young people in California is working hard to reverse that – one personal connection at a time. Bennie Williams was one of only a handful of Black students at his high school in Stockton. This statewide coalition of Black students gave him a place to share experiences, learn about Black history and advocate for improved mental health and educational opportunities. Guests: Bennie Williams, Senior, Morehouse College Angie Barfield, Interim executive director, Black Students of California United Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: ‘This is who I am’: Black students find support, culture, purpose through peer group Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

A coalition of Black education and civil rights organizations have pressed for extra state funding to help Black students, because they’re the lowest performing students in California. But a long-awaited proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom doesn’t target Black students, instead focusing additional money on schools with the highest concentration of poverty and increasing oversight of services for all low-performing student groups. Would the new program benefit Black kids? Guests: Debra Watkins, founder and executive director, A Black Education Network Emma Gallegos, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Critics say Newsom’s proposal for low-performing students fails most Black students Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Joshua Brown is prioritizing special education in his rural Northern California district. But his perspective is unusual: He has firsthand experience with the district’s special education program — as a student. Brown has autism and is one of only a handful of people known to have autism nationwide to serve in public office. Can schools benefit from having neurodivergent members on school boards? Guests: Joshua Brown, Board Member, Shasta Union Elementary School District Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Former special education student joins school board in Shasta Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

The largest academic strike in U.S. history ended last month with a landmark agreement between the University of California and graduate student teaching assistants and graduate student researchers. How significant is this agreement? What might it mean for students and colleges outside of the UC? Guests: Emily Weintraut, Graduate student teaching assistant and researcher, UC Davis Michael Burke, Reporter, EdSource Ashley A. Smith, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: University of California disrupted as 48,000 academic workers continue strike As tensions mount over final grades, academic researchers and scholars reach tentative agreement with UC Students fear losing aid as grades are withheld during strike Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

It’s January, time to reflect on the past months and look ahead at the coming year. At EdSource that means veteran reporter John Fensterwald is making predictions. Every year, John gets out his crystal ball and tells us a fortune – what he thinks might or might not happen in California education in the new year. We also check in with some other reporters about what stories they will cover this year. Guests: John Fensterwald, Editor-at-large, EdSource Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource Emma Gallegos, Reporter, EdSource Ashley A. Smith, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: California education issues to watch in 2023 — and predictions of what might happen Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

David Tellez had to make a tough decision — continue attending community college full-time, or focus on making money at work for his family. Like thousands of others in the last few years, he chose the latter. Just how many students left California’s community college system? And what are those colleges doing to win them back? Guests: David Tellez, Student, Citrus Community College Michael Burke, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: California community colleges eye a different future amid pandemic disruption Education Beat is a weekly podcast. This week’s episode is hosted by EdSource’s Ashley A. Smith and produced by Coby McDonald.

Victor Contreras is not looking forward to his first college math course. After distance learning, his high school math grades tumbled from A’s and B’s to C’s and D’s. And he’s not alone. Many college freshmen are struggling with math. What are colleges doing to help? Guests: Victor Contreras, Student, San Diego State University Diana Lambert, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: First year college students facing what Covid cost them, especially in math Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Some school districts raise extra money through parcel taxes for highly qualified teachers and for enrichment classes like art, music and technology. But parcel taxes — which require approval by a two-thirds “supermajority” of voters — are hard to pass, and only a handful of school districts, most of them small, high-income districts, have ever passed one. A little-known court decision from last year lowered the threshold to pass parcel taxes to a simple majority, as long as citizens put the measure on the ballot and not the government. Could this be a game-changer for low-income school districts? Guests: Yolanda Valdez, superintendent, Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District John Fensterwald, editor-at-large, EdSource Read more from EdSource: California court decision ups the odds for passing school parcel taxes Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

For students who have spent time in jail, it’s extra difficult to secure housing. Yet having a home, with space to study and supportive roommates, can make it a lot easier for these students to succeed. We talk with a student whose college path was transformed by a house for formerly incarcerated students and with a reporter about how this program came about. Guests: Jimmie Conner, Student, CSU Fullerton Betty Márquez Rosales, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: From prison to a campus home: CSU Fullerton welcomes formerly incarcerated students Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Two out of five students in California schools speak a language other than English at home. Teachers need more training to bring all of those students to proficiency in English and help them succeed in other subjects. What makes professional development for teachers of English learners effective? We hear from teachers, parents and professors about workshops that gave them tools to work with students who are learning English, and about what their own childhood experiences as English learners taught them. Guests: Elvira Armas, director of the Center for Equity for English Learners, and affiliated faculty, School of Education at Loyola Marymount University Laura Barbosa, vice president of the District English Learner Advisory Committee, San Leandro Unified School District Marina Berry, First grade teacher, Lodi Unified School District Nicole Thompson, Fourth grade teacher, Pajaro Valley Unified School District Natalie Tran, professor of education, California State University Fullerton, and director, National Resource Center for Asian Languages. Read more from EdSource: Collaborative, hands-on trainings crucial for English language educators Teachers and students both learned from this intensive summer English class How language-rich math can help students learning English Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

A student shares how taking college courses while still in high school helped her get ahead in college and save on tuition. But access to these courses, known as dual enrollment, remains uneven across California. In many areas, Latino and Black students are disproportionately under-enrolled in dual enrollment classes. Guests: Aliha Vega, Student, UC Berkeley Ashley A. Smith, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Growing numbers of California high schoolers dual enroll in college courses, but access uneven statewide Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Half of all students in California’s largest district, Los Angeles Unified, missed 15 or more days of school last year. This week we hear from an attendance counselor who tracks down those missing students and tries to get them back to class. Guests: Ofelia Ryan, President, Association of Pupil Services and Attendance Counselors, Los Angeles Unified Kate Sequeira, Journalism resident, EdSource Read more from EdSource: LAUSD makes push to bring chronically absent students back to school Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

The California Republican Party, churches and conservative organizations have recruited and trained dozens of candidates to run for school board across California. Some of their goals include fighting against teaching about racism and racial equity and the acceptance of different gender identities. What’s at stake in school board elections? Guests: John Rogers, Professor of education, UCLA Diana Lambert, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Conservatives are waging a war for control over California school boards Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

A plan to convert a library building in the farming town of McFarland in the Central Valley into a police station sparked widespread protest. Kern County recently expanded the library’s hours to open five days a week. Yet the city leaders of McFarland are doubling down, saying the police need the library building to meet the town’s public safety needs. At the heart of this debate: What is the role of a library? Who does it serve? Guests: Andie Sullivan, Director, Kern County Library Emma Gallegos, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Once again, McFarland city leaders lobby the county to turn its library into a police station Cities and towns across California only get the libraries they can afford Amid community pressure, county blocks McFarland’s plan to convert library into a police station A small town in Kern County contemplates turning its community library into a police station Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Kenya Abner and her husband struggled to find student housing for their family. Twenty years later, their daughter ran into the same problem. Student housing is so scarce in California that tens of thousands of students are left without stable places to live. To tackle that shortage, experts say college leaders must try new and innovative solutions. Guests: Kenya Abner, Student, CSU Sacramento Michael Burke, Reporter, EdSource Keith Curry, President, Compton College Su Jin Gatlin Jez, Executive director, California Competes Jo Mackness, Assistant vice chancellor of student affairs, UC Berkeley Read more from EdSource: EdSource Roundtable: What will it take to address California’s student housing crisis How California is responding to dire student housing shortage Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

When Elyse K’s daughter was 8, she told her mom that at school “they’d put her up on the wall, like a coat on a coat rack.” Elyse K took the school to court. The lawsuit filed alleged that a school operated by Contra Costa County County Office of Education for children with severe emotional and behavioral challenges used extreme tactics — such as physical restraints and isolation — to punish students and control their behavior. A recent settlement in the case requires the state to closely monitor the school and to train staff in positive discipline. How common is excessive restraint in special education schools in California? And how groundbreaking is this settlement? Guests: Elyse K., Mother of twins Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Settlement requires state to monitor Contra Costa school that restrained students Lawsuit challenges use of restraint, seclusion in California special education school Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Not knowing how to read well can make it more likely for students to drop out of high school, and to end up in jail. By one count, 85 percent of youth in the juvenile justice system have difficulty reading. This week, we visit a county library trying to boost literacy and a love for books among teenagers who are incarcerated in juvenile hall. Guests: Lisa Harris, Library Manager, Social Justice Services, Alameda County Library Betty Márquez Rosales, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: An island of reading for youth in the California juvenile justice system Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

VIDEO | Is My Kid Learning How to Read? Esti Iturralde, who has a PhD in psychology, conducts a little experiment with her daughter on how children best learn to read. Watch the video here. Half of California third graders can’t read at grade level. There’s exhaustive brain research that suggests that most children must be explicitly taught how to connect sounds with letters, yet many children are not taught how to do that. Why do so many children struggle to read? And why are we still debating over how they should be taught? Guests: Esti Iturralde, Parent Karen D’Souza, Reporter, EdSource John Fensterwald, Editor-at-large, EdSource Read more from EdSource: A movement rises to change the teaching of reading California does little to ensure all kids read by third grade California’s Reading Wars History Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Remedial math and English classes were designed to help students prepare for college-level courses, but research has shown that they actually made it harder for students to finish college. Students would get stuck in these remedial courses, that they often didn’t actually need, get frustrated and drop out. Despite efforts to limit remedial classes in California, many colleges are still offering them. A new bill would go further to almost completely eliminate these classes. What would it take to get rid of remedial courses and why does it matter? Guests: Anne Gloag, Math department chair, San Diego Miramar College Michael Burke, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Dozens of community colleges offer remedial classes; bill to ban them awaits Newsom’s signature Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Students from low-income families are more likely to have uncredentialed teachers than students from wealthier households. A teacher shares how credentialing impacts quality of teaching and classroom management, and we discuss what California and its school districts are doing to address this issue. Guests: Thomas Courtney, 4th and 5th grade teacher, San Diego Unified School District Diana Lambert, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Poorer students still get the least qualified teachers, but California has made progress Nearly 1 out of 5 classes in California taught by underprepared teachers Oakland, with among lowest ratio of fully prepared, rightly assigned teachers, has a strategy to address teacher churn Find your school’s teacher qualifications | Database Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

On the one-year anniversary of Education Beat, we take a moment to look back at the year’s episodes. Education Beat has brought you the voices of students, teachers, parents and administrators, with stories from the very heart of California schools. Listen to John Fensterwald discuss this first season of the podcast, with host Zaidee Stavely, and hear snippets of some of our most memorable episodes. Guests: John Fensterwald, Editor-at-large, EdSource Zaidee Stavely, Host, Education Beat Listen to full episodes mentioned in this episode: How Mama Brown sent her neighborhood to college Kids enroll in this school just for the lunch Welcoming back English learners A family separated and their education derailed How one student got her middle school to change its name Compton journalism class aims to boost English skills Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

High schoolers in California have been organizing to give 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in local school board elections, giving students more say in their school districts. Two measures were passed by voters in Oakland and Berkeley in recent years, but the teens who organized to put them on the ballot are still waiting for them to be implemented. What now? Guests: Ixchel Arista, Senior, Oakland High School Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Hope, frustration and hard lessons as youth try to lower voting age for school board Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Fresno County is the hub of a statewide pilot project to help early childhood educators, child care providers and elementary school teachers teach math concepts at an early age. A teacher at one child development center shares how she uses math concepts all day, even during a diaper change. Guests: Brittany Montelongo, Master teacher, Lighthouse for Children Child Development Center Ashleigh Panoo, Journalism resident, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Can infants learn math? State-backed pilot project in Fresno aims to find out Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Compton Unified School District in Los Angeles County is taking a creative approach to helping students become proficient in English faster —a journalism class for English learners. Students learn to interview and write articles, and at the same time, get a boost to their confidence, crucial for participating fully in class. Guests: Alison Mendez, Adrian Espinoza, Ayleen Andrade and Camilla Vasquez, Students, Compton Unified School District Kendra Hatchett, Summer journalism teacher, Compton Unified School District Read more from EdSource: How a journalism class in Compton boosts students’ English skills Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

California school districts received millions of dollars this year in federal and state Covid relief funding to address the impacts of the pandemic. One district, Lodi Unified, spent a chunk of the funds to send students to a two-week summer camp at a local university. Students took college classes taught by university professors, and they got a taste of dorm life. Guests: Clara Brienza-Larsen, Incoming freshman, Lodi Unified School District Mariya Wharry, Program Coordinator, Lodi Unified School District Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: How one district used Covid funds to send kids to camp — on a college campus Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

When college students have mental health crises, a call to 9-1-1 is often the only option, resulting in a visit from the police. One California State University campus, Cal State Long Beach, is changing that and will begin sending mental health professionals to respond to crisis calls. Why is this change important? Guests: Presley Dalman, Graduate, California State University, Long Beach Ashley A. Smith, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: CSU Long Beach makes mental health priority Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

California voters passed Proposition 13 in 1978 in response to rising property taxes. A new analysis concludes that Prop 13 has contributed to a widening wealth gap, a severe housing shortage and — for decades — inadequate funding for public schools. On this episode, we discuss the legacy of Prop 13 and possible paths forward. Guests: María Echaveste, President and CEO, Opportunity Institute John Fensterwald, Editor-at-large, EdSource Read more from EdSource: California Prop. 13’s ‘unjust legacy’ detailed in critical study Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Tutoring that’s either one-on-one or in very small groups and happens at least three times a week has been shown to greatly improve students’ learning. Many academic and advocacy groups say this is a critical way schools can help students recover from learning loss, after a year of distance learning. But many parents haven’t found tutoring options at their children’s schools. Guests: Cristina Sánchez, Parent, Los Angeles Unified Joanna French, Associate director of research and policy, Innovate Public Schools Kate Sequeira, Journalism resident, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Tutoring options in Los Angeles Unified leave families frustrated Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Five years ago, Fremont High in Oakland had some of the highest discipline rates and lowest attendance in the city. Only 1 in 4 graduates were qualified to attend public college in California. One in 3 dropped out entirely. Today, with a newly rebuilt campus and an intensive focus on improving campus climate, Fremont has seen its enrollment jump, and the number of students who qualify for college admission has nearly tripled. Students and staff say the restorative justice program is a big part of how that transformation occurred. Guests: Kimberly Higareda, Student, Fremont High School Joshua Watan, Student, Fremont High School Aaron Gray, Restorative justice coordinator, Horace Mann Elementary School Carolyn Jones, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: At this Oakland high school, restorative justice goes far beyond discipline Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Being a full-time student makes scratching together money for rent difficult, so many students opt for discounted student housing, when it’s available. But on-campus housing often isn’t an option for students with children, because it’s rarely designed to accommodate families, and many colleges don’t allow children in on-campus housing, or even in their emergency housing programs for homeless students. What’s it like for student parents to navigate the student housing system in California colleges? And what can be done to help them? Guests: Elizabeth Clews, Prospective transfer student Betty Márquez Rosales, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Campuses looking to offer housing for students and their children Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

After a difficult and isolated year of distance learning, student behavior in Lynda White’s middle school classroom quickly descended into chaos. With administrators stretched thin, White was left to deal with it on her own, and she eventually joined the ranks of thousands of other California teachers who quit their jobs mid-year. Some teachers left because of the challenges of teaching during a pandemic. Many burned out, citing bad behavior and a lack of support. Guests: Lynda White, Retired teacher, Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District Diana Lambert, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Covid challenges, bad student behavior push teachers to limit, out the door Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

California recently approved the first round of grants to convert potentially thousands of schools into full-service “community schools”. Community schools provide all kinds of services for kids and families – health care, mental health therapy, housing assistance, fresh fruit and vegetables – in an effort to help kids thrive in school. A reporter discusses what he saw at a local community school and a community school coordinator shares how her school has been transformed with this program. Guests: Leslie Hu, Community school coordinator, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Middle School, San Francisco Unified Jessica Petrilli, Principal, Helms Middle School, West Contra Costa Unified Ali Tadayon, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: California set to launch hundreds of community schools with $635 million in grants Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

Close to 300,000 students have faced gun violence in their schools since the Columbine shooting in 1999. Many more have experienced threats of violence on their campuses. EdSource’s California Student Journalism Corps interviewed students who have survived a school shooting or shooting threats about how those experiences have impacted them. Guests: Leesa Hogan, Student, Merritt College Megan Tagami, Student journalist, California Student Journalism Corps Raya Torres, Student journalist, California Student Journalism Corps Read more from EdSource: Students from across California share experiences with campus gun violence Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

As California State University seeks to help more students earn a college degree faster, it could learn something from counterparts in Texas and Florida that have dramatically improved their graduation rates over the last decade. Reporter Larry Gordon shares his insights from recent reporting, and a student from the University of Texas at San Antonio details how a graduation help desk cleared his way to the finish line. Guests: Nick Robinson, Graduate, University of Texas at San Antonio Larry Gordon, Reporter and Fellow, Education Writers Association Reporting Fellowship Read more from EdSource: Finishing in Four Years Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

The Class of 2022’s high school experience was transformed by Covid. Many struggled emotionally and academically during distance learning, often failing to turn in assignments or turn on their cameras during classes. But others emerged stronger than ever, using their time alone to double down on academics or to cultivate hobbies or even a mental health website with coping skills for kids. Guests: Miles Fu, Senior, El Camino Fundamental High School Tatiana Torres, Senior, Heritage High School, Founder, Calm-4-You Diana Lambert, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Challenged by Covid, the Class of 2022 looks ahead to better days Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

After years of English-only classes for students who spoke other languages at home, California is now pushing to expand bilingual programs for all students. But the state has a huge obstacle — it needs more bilingual teachers. Some say we need to look beyond colleges and universities, and instead find new teachers among bus drivers, teachers’ aides, and attendance clerks. Guests: Alejandra Silva, Bilingual teacher, Escondido Union School District Guillermo Castillo, Director, Future Educator Support, Butte County Office of Education Holly Harding, Administrator, Future Educator Support, Butte County Office of Education Read more from EdSource: To find more bilingual teachers, California needs to cast a wider net Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

A small town in the Central Valley could convert its community library into a police station. The proposal has upset many residents who say that the library is vital for reading, homework, and community. Guests: Jazmine Ciciliano, Sixth grader Phil Corr, President, Friends of the McFarland Library Emma Gallegos, journalism resident, EdSource Read more from EdSource: A small town in Kern County contemplates turning its community library into a police station Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

As lawmakers and college officials focus on how to better support student mental health, some students are coming up with their own ideas for bills, and even writing them themselves. One new bill would require all community colleges and California State University campuses to print a phone number on student identification cards for local mental health services. Guests: Kimberly Woo, Student, UC Berkeley Léo Corzo-Clark, Student, Brown University Carolyn Jones, Senior Reporter, EdSource Read the EdSource story: Mental health hotline numbers would appear on California college student ID cards if bill passes Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

After a year of distance learning, the range of skill levels in math class is very wide, with some students still learning concepts from several grades behind. That means teachers have to get creative to get students excited about math and make up for lost time, now that they are back in school in person. Guests: Sandhya Raman, Math teacher, Morrill Middle School, Berryessa Union School District John Fensterwald, Editor-at-large, EdSource Read the EdSource article: Student math scores touch off ‘five-alarm fire’ in California Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

The number of students missing class has spiked during the Covid-19 pandemic, compounding a larger problem of decreasing enrollment. As California school districts face the prospect of a precipitous drop in funding next year due to these trends, we talked to administrators about the ways they are trying to increase attendance and enrollment — whether by engaging families through porch visits or creating a homeschooling option through the district. Guests: Holly Cybulski, Director of Elementary and K-8 schools, San Juan Unified. Gina Potter, Superintendent, San Ysidro School District Erin Simon, Assistant Superintendent of School Support Services, Long Beach Unified School District John Fensterwald, Editor-at-large, EdSource Watch the roundtable here. Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.