We Heard From You!

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Regional Advisory Committee West (California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.) to Secretary Cardona, US Department of Education, sought input regarding the need for the technical assistance activities described in section 203 of the ETAA and how those needs would be most effectively addressed. Executive Director, worked with fellow RAC (Regional Advisory Committees) members identified opportunity gaps as a core priority.  Opportunity Gaps refer to the differential availability of, access to, and experiences with high-quality resources among members of groups defined by socially-constructed categories (e.g., race, ethnicity, class, and gender) (LAUSD, 2023) The opportunity gap differs from the achievement gap in that the opportunity gap refers to the inputs, such as policies and practices, that are process driven and influence students’ relationships with educational resources. 

In September and October 2023, Vanessa Marrero, M.S.W, facilitated seven public focus groups that were held which included the Statewide-CA Family Engagement Network, Los Angeles Parent Organization Network, San Joaquin Valley Stockton Unified School District, San Francisco Bay Berkeley Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, San Mateo Office of Education, Community Partnerships and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the California Association for Bilingual Education to name a few. 

The RAC have provided key recommendations to the Secretary of USDOE of which some include: 

Thematic Focus of Regional Education Leadership Feedback: The specific themes echoed by the Regional Education Leadership, such as; 

  •  enhancing student engagement,  

  • equity in educational access, and  

  • integrating mental health support. 

Detailed Analysis of Public Comments: Specifically detail the themes gathered from these comments, such as:  

  • the need for personalized learning,  

  • support for students with disabilities,  

  • socioeconomic impact, and  

  • family/community engagement. 

With these specific focus areas in mind, the Department of Education should implement “accountability and improvement systems [to]...identify appropriate interventions and support,” (Kostyo, et al., 2018) that are aligned with each focus area.  

The full report will be listed in the Federal Register, and we will share it directly with the Board, Supt. and greater community once published. 

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