UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools

As the wildfires continue to impact communities across Los Angeles, we at UCLA CTS stand in solidarity with those facing hardships in this challenging time. Our thoughts are with the families, first responders, and everyone affected by this tragedy. In times like these, we’re reminded of the strength and resilience of our city and the importance of coming together to support one another. We encourage those in our LA community to stay informed, prioritize safety, and reach out for help when needed. Resources below ⬇️on how to help those impacted by the fires: https://lnkd.in/gWmebkX9 Displaced Black Families and Businesses Donation Directory: https://lnkd.in/e7ktT_Yw #LosAngelesStrong #CommunitySupport #WildfireRelief #TogetherWeStand #ResilientLA #StaySafeLA #SupportLA #FirstResponders #LACommunity

Former #California State Senator Skinner sponsored legislation (signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom ) to ban willful defiance suspensions and expulsions for K-12 students through ‘29. We know that you cant create policies to reduce exclusionary discipline without building teachers’ capacity to reduce exclusionary discipline. Last year, the State awarded UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools (faculty director Tyrone Howard; center director Joseph Bishop, Ph.D.; project director Michael D. Corral, Ph.D.) and my center @ucbcreeo (director Dr. Jacquelyn Ollison) funding to do exactly this! In two weeks, if you’re in and around #sacramento - come learn how we’ve been supporting 10 schools across the state to reduce exclusionary discipline. RSVP -> https://lnkd.in/gZKhTTYd University of California, Berkeley, School of Education UCLA School of Education and Information Studies

Historically, resilient and marginalized students disproportionately suspended in California! This must stop! Join us for this important conversation on how restorative practices can help us do just that. Hope to see you there! UC Berkeley CREEO UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools

CTS Faculty Co-Director, Lucrecia Santibañez, is partnering with the Overdeck Family Foundation and Parent Teacher Home Visits to explore how home visits can affect elementary and middle school students’ chronic absenteeism and attendance. Dr. Santibañez will focus on home visits' impact on English Learners and low-income student groups. Read the announcement at: https://lnkd.in/g73mJ2hK #EducationEquity #StudentSuccess #ChronicAbsenteeism #CommunityEngagement #ParentTeacherCollaboration #OverdeckFoundation #K12Education #InnovativeEducation #SchoolAttendance #InclusiveEducation #EducationResearch #eduresearch #uclaresearch

As we celebrate the season, we’re grateful for the incredible community of educators, partners, and supporters we have built together. Here’s to continued collaboration and positive change in the year ahead. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the UCLA CTS Team! 🌟 #HappyHolidays #EquityInEducation

Our research team has outlined 11 actionable recommendations to improve education for students with foster care experience in California. We focus on strengthening the foster care system, K-12 schools, and colleges to ensure all students have equitable access, resources, and opportunities for success. Learn more about the recommendations in “Understanding Belongingness, Support, and Perseverance: An Exploratory Study of the Educational Experiences of Foster Youth in California” at: https://lnkd.in/gBT687Mc. #FosterYouth #EducationEquity #SupportAllStudents #EducationForAll #EquityInEducation #FosterCareMatters #Education #SupportFosterYouth #FosterYouthVoices #FosterYouthExperiences #HigherEducationAccess #AdvocacyForChange #EducationMatters #YPAR #EducationResearch #eduresearch #uclaresearch

The educational experiences of foster youth are shaped by a range of systemic challenges like navigating the foster care system and facing barriers in high school and college. Our report sheds light on how the absence of reliable support systems and resources can affect the academic success of students with foster care experience in California. Key findings: 🔹Foster Care System: Isolation and lack of family support can hurt students' self-worth and academic performance. 🔹High School: Supportive teachers who checked in regularly had a significant impact on students' sense of belonging. Foster youth experienced a mix of support, safety, and challenges in high school. 🔹College: Strong support systems, like foster youth support programs, were essential in helping students navigate college life. They offered assistance with housing, mental health, social and cultural activities, and more. Learn more about how we can improve support for foster youth in education: https://lnkd.in/gBT687Mc. #FosterYouth #EducationAccess #SupportSystems #EducationalEquity #CollegeSuccess #YouthVoices #FosterCareAwareness #SupportForAll #FosterCareMatters #EquityInEducation #SupportFosterYouth #FosterYouthVoices #FosterYouthExperiences #HigherEducationAccess #AdvocacyForChange #ResearchForEquity #EducationMatters #YPAR #EducationResearch #eduresearch #uclaresearch

Foster youth face unique challenges in their educational journey, from school instability to limited college access. Our new report, “Understanding Belongingness, Support, and Perseverance,” offers valuable insights on how we can build stronger support systems in California to help foster youth thrive. In collaboration with young leaders from California Youth Connection, we ensured that the lived experiences of foster youth guided this study. This week, we’ll share their stories from the foster care system, high school, and college, along with our findings and recommendations. Read the executive summary and report at https://lnkd.in/gBT687Mc #FosterYouth #EducationalEquity #BreakingBarriers #FosterCareMatters #K12toCollege #EquityInEducation #SupportFosterYouth #FosterYouthVoices #FosterYouthExperiences #HigherEducationAccess #AdvocacyForChange #ResearchForEquity #EducationMatters #YPAR #EducationResearch #educresearch #uclaresearch

In Q4 2024, our foundation awarded 28 grants totaling over $18.4 million. Here, we highlighted just some of the direct impact and ecosystem organizations we’re proud to support this quarter as we conclude our 2024 grantmaking. Attendance Works, CommonLit, Consortium for Policy Research in Education, EdReports, Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, InPlay, Leading Educators, Magpie Literacy, Mathematica, National Museum of Mathematics, National Student Support Accelerator, New Jersey Tutoring Corps Inc, Opportunity Insights, Parent Teacher Home Visits, PERTS, RAND, Students 2 Science, Teaching Lab, Transcend, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools, Urban Institute

In case you missed our Race, Education, and Community Healing (REACH) Network webinar in October, we recorded extended video interviews with leaders from two REACH Network school sites. Brett Mitchell, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Crete Academy (Los Angeles USD), shared his insights on how empathy can be overlooked in schools. He shared how Crete Academy’s move to a no-suspension policy transformed their school discipline by prioritizing empathy and love in student support. Thank you to Crete Academy and El Roble Intermediate for their commitment to creating inclusive, community-driven learning environments. We’ll continue to work together with our REACH Network grantees to build equitable school systems for all students. Watch the interview with Brett Mitchell of Crete Academy at: https://lnkd.in/gByYfDD4 #EquityInEducation #NoSuspension #InclusiveEducation #CommunityHealing #REACHNetwork #ExclusionaryDiscipline