CAN Newsletter – May 17, 2016
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State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Visits John F. Kennedy High School to Promote After School Funding Legislation
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson recently visited John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento to promote afterschool education and demonstrate support for legislation that would add $73 million a year for these important programs. Assembly Bill (AB) 2663 by Assemblyman Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, would add $73 million and an ongoing cost of living adjustment for afterschool programs which have been flat for years despite rising costs and increased demand. “As a classroom teacher, coach, legislator, and parent, I know that education is a daylong, year-round endeavor. Students simply cannot stop spending their time constructively when school’s out,” Torlakson said. “Learning doesn’t start when the bell rings and end at the schoolyard gate.” AB 2663 is currently in the suspense file in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Hundreds Take to the Capitol to Sustain California’s Expanded Learning Programs
On May 10, 2016, over 300 expanded learning practitioners, advocates, and participants gathered for the 12th Annual California Afterschool and Summer Challenge. The Challenge aims to educate and empower professionals, youth and families to engage in statewide advocacy to advance the out-of-school time field. This year the The Challenge partnered with the Save After School Campaign. The two-day event focused on the campaign to increase the After School Education and Safety (ASES) daily rate and provide relief for cash-strapped ASES programs which have been negatively impacted by flat funding in the face of rising costs. Advocates shared the importance of expanded learning and sought support for funding in this year’s budget to increase the ASES funding rate from $7.50 to $8.50 per student, per day. Advocates also sought support for AB 2663 (Cooper, D-Elk Grove), which would increase the daily ASES funding rate and provide an ongoing cost of living adjustment for ASES programs.
Governor Brown’s May Budget Revision Does Not Include New Funding for Expanded Learning
Governor Brown released the May Budget Revision on Friday, May 13, 2016. The proposed budget does not include any additional allocation to California’s struggling After School Education and Safety (ASES) programs despite strong public support for publicly funded after school programs which demonstrate a significant return on investment. California’s ASES programs are currently at risk due to a decade of flat funding in the face of a rising consumer price index and personnel costs related to increased minimum wage. A recent survey outlines that 92% of ASES programs are negatively impacted by flat funding and 1 in 3 are likely to close within two years without fiscal relief. Learn more about the challenges facing California’s ASES programs.
Central Valley Afterschool Foundation Releases 3rd Issue of Jelo!
The Central
Valley Afterschool Foundation recently released its
newest issue of
The Journal of Expanded Learning Opportunities (JELO),
featuring a featuring a researcher/ practitioner
dialogue on the topic of program quality in expanded learning
programs between Michael Funk, Division Director for the
California Department of Education (CDE) After School
Division, and Carol McElvain, Managing Technical Assistance
Consultant for the American Institutes for Research (AIR).
The recently released issue also includes research outlining the
linkages between professional development and STEM learning
experiences in expanded learning programs, as well as promising
practices connected to social emotional development.
Career & College Readiness Resources and Lessons
The California Career Resource Network (CalCRN), a program in the California Department of Education, provides the career development information and resources necessary to help identify and reach career goals. CalCRN’s resources are available for use by students, parents/guardians, educators, and anyone else interested in developing the critical career self-management skills. CalCRN recently released Career & College Readiness Lesson Plans (CCRLP’s). The CCRLPs consists of 45 lessons spread across grades 5-12 with 5 or 6 lessons per grade. They are organized by grade level but not limited to implementation in any specific grade. To access the Lesson Plans, click here.
Take a Healthy Summer Break
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services recently published resources designed to increase the quality of meals and the amount of activity children do over the summer break. One of those resources is Summer Food, Summer Moves, a fun, hands-on resource kit designed to get kids and families excited about healthy eating and physical activity during the summer months. Another resource is The Take a Healthy Summer Break Infographic, as colorful 1-page resource that schools and community groups can distribute to parents to increase awareness of the importance of healthy choices during the summer months.
Free Resource: Apply for a Reused Computer
Does your after school program need computers? Is your school’s computer lab not available after hours? Apply for free computers to dedicate to your program. RRRcomputer.org is a fiscally sponsored non-profit organization with the mission to enhance a child’s education by providing computers to children in grades K-6. They reclaim computers from local tech companies, refurbishes them to be child ready and safe, and sets them up for you to reuse. To apply, simply fill out the online form or contact apply@RRRcomputer.org.
Present at the 10th Annual “Learning ROCKS” Conference!
Presenters Needed! The 2016 Expanded Learning Institute is a comprehensive conference for after school professionals who serve elementary, middle and high school students. The Institute provides an opportunity for expanded learning school personnel throughout the Northern California Region to learn and share ideas and best practices/models on quality expanded learning (before school, after school and summer) programs. The Region 2 “Learning ROCKS” Conference will be held in Chico, CA at Chico State University on August 3-4, 2016. Presenters will receive a complimentary conference registration. The proposal deadline has been extended to Friday, June 3rd. Below is the presenter proposal form. Contact Melissa Medrano at mmedrano@bcoe.org or call at 530-532-5797 with questions.
