Education K-12 - Observer News Group

Caregivers of Young Children Report Difficulty Accessing Essentials from Food Pantries

by Stefi Mar | Apr 29, 2025 | Bakersfield, Education K-12, Features, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

The RAPID Survey Project, based in the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, is a program of ongoing national and place-based surveys designed to gather essential information on the needs, health-promoting behaviors, and well-being of young children and their caregivers.

California Holds the Line on DEI as Trump Administration Threatens School Funding  

by Stefi Mar | Apr 22, 2025 | Bakersfield, Donald Trump, Education K-12, Features, Los Angeles, State, Valleys | 0

California education leaders are pushing back against the Trump administration’s directive to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in its K-12 public schools — despite threats to take away billions in federal funding.

Family Childcare Homes Face Enormous Hurdles

by Stefi Mar | Apr 22, 2025 | Bakersfield, Education K-12, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

Shalicia Jackson, also known as Shay, has done almost everything there is to do in early childhood education. Jackson has been an assistant childcare teacher, a lead teacher, a Head Start coordinator, a family advocate, and a social worker in public schools. She has worked in nonprofits and at the Durham Partnership for Children in North Carolina, training teachers to better support young children.

Op-ed: Inglewood Unified School District’s Vision for Stronger Schools and a Brighter Future

by Stefi Mar | Mar 25, 2025 | Education K-12, Local, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

At the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD), we are reinventing education and improving school buildings to better serve our students. While the district must respond to fluctuating enrollment numbers, this initiative is part of our work to create stronger schools and a better learning environment that will benefit students, families, and the community for years to come.

Trump Moves to Dismantle Education Department

by Stefi Mar | Mar 11, 2025 | Bakersfield, Donald Trump, Education K-12, Los Angeles, Valleys, World & Nation | 0

The Trump administration is preparing to issue an executive order directing newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education. While the president lacks the authority to unilaterally shut down the agency—requiring congressional approval—McMahon has been tasked with taking “all necessary steps” to reduce its role “to the maximum extent permitted by law.” The administration justifies the move by claiming the department has spent over $1 trillion since its 1979 founding without improving student achievement. However, data from The Nation’s Report Card shows math scores have improved significantly since the 1990s, though reading levels have remained stagnant. The pandemic further widened achievement gaps, leaving many students behind.

Black History Month – High Stepping for the Community, Culture, and Education

by Stefi Mar | Mar 4, 2025 | Black History Month, Education K-12, Local, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

El Camino Community College celebrated Black History Month with a series of engaging and educational events throughout February. The activities were held February 3- 27, 2025, at various locations on campus.

Thurmond Details Education Priorities, Funding Challenges During Senate Committee Hearing

by Stefi Mar | Mar 3, 2025 | Bakersfield, Education K-12, Los Angeles, Statewide, Valleys | 0

The California State Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education, chaired by Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), held a hearing on Feb. 27, where State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond provided a State of Education address and discussed key education funding priorities.

The Daycare Myth

by Stefi Mar | Feb 27, 2025 | Bakersfield, Education K-12, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

The inaccuracy of the term “daycare” is at the heart of a book by Dan Wuori, an early childhood expert who you may know from his viral social media posts or his previous work as senior director of early learning at the Hunt Institute. In “The Daycare Myth,” Wuori argues that what we think of as “daycare” doesn’t exist.

The Courage to be Curious: A Head Start Success Story

by Stefi Mar | Feb 27, 2025 | Bakersfield, Education K-12, Features, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

Dr. Eric Motley worked as a special assistant to President George W. Bush. He was director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office. He served as executive vice president at the Aspen Institute. In 2017, Dr. Motley published Madison Park, A Place of Hope, adding the author to his resume. Most recently, he joined the National Gallery of Art as deputy director. In an interview with the National Head Start Association (NHSA), Dr. Motley attributed the courage to be curious about his experience at Head Start.

From the Classroom to the Living Room: Three Ways Families Can Help Children Build Early Literacy Skills

by Stefi Mar | Feb 18, 2025 | Bakersfield, Education K-12, Features, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

Today, just one in three fourth graders are reading on grade level, signaling an urgent need to ensure all children can build reading and writing skills even before they enter kindergarten.

HillmanTok University: The Digital HBCU Revolutionizing Online Education

by Stefi Mar | Feb 11, 2025 | Bakersfield, Education, Education K-12, Front Page, Los Angeles, Valleys | 0

A snow day in Georgia and a viral TikTok video unexpectedly set the foundation for what is now HillmanTok University, a virtual learning institution that has captured the attention of millions. It all started when Dr. Leah Barlow, a professor at North Carolina A&T, posted a welcome video for her African American Studies class. What she intended for just 36 students reached nearly 4 million viewers, sparking a movement that sixth-grade teacher Cierra Hinton helped shape into something much bigger.