The education landscape is constantly evolving, staying ahead of the trends is essential. Welcome to “Ed Buzz LA County”, the show that explores the groundbreaking initiatives, inspiring stories and innovative practices that are shaping the future of learning right here in Southern California.
Episode 18: Ethnic Studies Implementation
On this episode, we take a closer look at the California state requirement that all high schools offer at least one ethnic studies course, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. By incorporating ethnic studies into the standard curriculum, Assembly Bill 101 aims to provide students with a broader perspective on the social, cultural and historical makeup of California and the United States. Elaina Garza, History-Social Science Coordinator III in LACOE’s Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services explains what ethnic studies is and how schools are implementing the course into their curriculum.
Episode 17: Attendance Awareness
What happens when students stop coming to school? In this Ed Buzz episode, we discuss the growing challenge of chronic absenteeism and showcase innovative solutions from L.A. County school districts that are bringing students back to the classroom.
Join Superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo and LACOE’s Chief of Wellbeing and Support Services Alicia Garoupa to unpack the critical importance of in-person learning, the current challenges facing school attendance and how to build student engagement through connection. We also showcase two programs that are transforming attendance rates in their districts, the Not Being Absent Program at the Ybarra Academy of the Arts and Technology in Walnut and the Get On Board Program from Glendora High School.
Episode 16: Universal Prekindergarten Expansion
In this episode of Ed Buzz, we sit down with Dr. Duardo and Luis Bautista, Executive Director of the Head Start and Early Learning Division, to discuss the Universal Prekindergarten expansion in California. In 2021, California legislators approved a plan to provide universal prekindergarten to all four-year-olds by the 2025-26 school year. This ambitious plan is expected to have a significant impact on the state's young children, but it also raises important questions about how schools will be able to serve the growing student population.
To address the teacher shortages that are likely to accompany the expansion, the Universal Prekindergarten Career Development Initiative was created. This initiative provides incentives and professional development opportunities for people interested in a career in early childhood education. In our interview, we also discuss the partnerships with local colleges to help meet the growing demand for qualified early childhood teachers.
Episode 15: The Science of Reading
What if there was a better way to teach children to read? In this episode of Ed Buzz, we uncover the Science of Reading, a new approach that's changing the game. Leslie Zoroya, project director for the Reading/Language Arts unit at LACOE shares why the Science of Reading is gaining traction.
View additional resources on the Science of Reading.
Episode 14: California Distinguished School: IPoly High School
International Polytechnic High School (IPoly) is a specialized public high school located on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona. Unlike traditional high schools, IPoly's project-based approach aims to develop critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and cultural awareness in students, preparing them for college and future careers. In this episode Dr. Maricela Ramirez, Chief Education Officer, and Ginger Merritt-Paul, IPoly’s Principal, discuss how IPoly’s approach has earned them recognition, including being named one of California’s Distinguished Schools in 2014.
Episode 13: Working at LACOE
The Los Angeles County Office of Education is dedicated to shaping the future of education for over two million preschool and school-aged children across 80 K-12 districts and numerous agencies. We're seeking talented individuals who share our vision and are committed to making a real difference in the lives of students. LACOE is hiring for classified and certificated positions. In this episode, Dr. Kanika White, Chief Human Resources Officer and Eric Rowen, Executive Director of Classified Human Resources, shares tips to help candidates stand out and excel on their next interview.
Episode 12: Mandated Reporting Changes
Assembly Bill 2085 brings significant changes to how child neglect is defined and reported in California. There are implications for mandated reporters, especially educators, who are the second highest reporters in the LA County and the entire state. Understanding these changes is crucial for educators in their role as mandated reporters. In this episode of Ed Buzz, Dr. Debra Duardo and Brandon Nichols, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, talks about why it was necessary to transform the mandated reporting process.
Episode 11: Elevate Your Career With Career Technical Education
Career Technical Education (CTE) programs play a crucial role in preparing students for success in today's dynamic job market, offering them diverse career options, and fostering a more well-rounded educational experience. CTE programs offer a unique blend of academic learning and real-world skills, giving students the knowledge and experience they need to succeed in their chosen field. In this episode, Reina Flores-Hansen explains the benefits of CTE.
Episode 10: The Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation
The Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of education and enriching the learning experiences of our students. As a bridge between the community and our schools, the foundation serves as a catalyst for innovation, opportunity, and growth. Through strategic partnerships and fundraising initiatives, Kerry Franco explains how the foundation provides vital support to our district's educational programs, initiatives, and resources.
Episode 9: New Arts Funding For Schools?
The Arts has been on the chopping block for years, but now California schools can hire new music and arts teachers, purchase supplies and provide professional development opportunities thanks to Prop 28. In this Ed Buzz LA County episode, Jeannine Flores shares the different arts programs that the funding covers, which districts are ahead of the curve when it comes to implementing arts programs and how schools can use the funding to build a teacher pipeline.
Episode 8: Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
As of June 2023, over 58,000 students have been identified as homeless across the 80 public school districts and more than 300 charter schools in Los Angeles County. On this episode of Ed Buzz, Dr. Jennifer Kottke, LACOE’s Homeless Education Project Director, talks about how schools can provide assistance to unhoused children under the McKinney-Vento Education Act and the resources available to them.
Episode 7: Inglewood USD's Local Control Update
LACOE and Inglewood Unified School District are working together to help the district achieve its goals of long-term stability and local control. In this episode, Dr. Debra Duardo and Dr. James Morris, County Administrator for IUSD, talks about the progress and challenges in the plan to end the state receivership, and exciting things happening at IUSD.
Episode 6: Esports on the Rise
Esports programs are expanding, with school districts setting up their own programs nationwide. In this episode, Dr. Chris Hoang, LACOE’s Interim Assistant Director of Technology Innovation and Outreach, and Alvaro Brito, STEAM Administrator with the Compton Unified School District, discuss how playing video games can help build skills for future careers and how it affects socio-emotional learning.
Episode 5: We Are LACOE
As the nation's largest regional education agency, the Los Angeles County Office of Education supports local school districts with services that are necessary for their operations. In this episode of Ed Buzz, Dr. Debra Duardo explains more about the primary functions of LACOE.
Episode 4: Supporting Vulnerable Student Populations
LACOE serves the county’s most vulnerable student populations including those who have been expelled, as well as justice involved students who are incarcerated or are on probation. When students are kicked out of school, parents' priorities shift to the court proceedings aspects of their youth’s life. However, the students’ education must continue. In this episode, Jael Ovalle shares how the Parent and Family Education and Consultation Program can help support parents, so they in turn can support their teens.
Episode 3: Helping Multilingual Learners Thrive
LA County is home to a large, diverse population of multi-lingual learners. More than 45% of public-school students in LA County speak another language besides English. In this episode of Ed Buzz LA County, we speak with Dr. Soomin Chao about how providing social and emotional learning support can help multilingual learners thrive in the classroom.
Episode 2: Bridging the Digital Divide
It is estimated that 416,000 households in LA County lack access to affordable, reliable broadband service, devices, and the skills to use them. From access to technology and connectivity to digital literacy, this “digital divide” impacts many underserved communities. On this episode of Ed Buzz LA County, Sonia Hooks, Assistant Director of Technology Services, talks about digital equity, and how to ensure all students have access to digital tools, resources, and opportunities.
Episode 1: AI in the Classroom
Machine learning technology like generative artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing. On this episode of Ed Buzz LA County, Jose Gonzalez, LACOE’s Chief Technology Officer, talks about some of the concerns of using AI tools like ChatGPT in the classroom, how teachers can integrate AI in educational settings to enhance teaching and learning, and the importance of preparing students for the future by equipping them with AI literacy.
