Lunch Bites

In this episode, Karen Vang shares how STEAM intersects with Early Education, various Early Learning practices which are transferable at all grade levels, and how hands-on, project-based learning includes a lot of intangibles that are hard to measure, but you can determine impact on student learning. Karen Vang is the Program Manager at the Center for District Innovation And Leadership in Early Education (DIAL EE). Before joining DIAL EE, Karen was responsible for managing early literacy assessments in Oakland, CA, for over 1000 children, conducting data analysis for continuous program improvement, and coordinating professional development across multiple agencies at the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. She initially began her career in early childcare as a student assistant with infants and toddlers, and has also worked as a literacy tutor in a Transitional Kindergarten classroom. Karen holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley. Make sure to visit: DIALEE [https://dialee.org/] For more information about the California STEAM Symposium visit: steamcalifornia.org [http://www.steamcalifornia.org/]

Anita Miller, Advisor for Chevron [https://www.chevron.com/stemzone] Education and Corporate Programs, and Jesse Lovejoy, Director of 49ers EDU [https://www.49ers.com/community/edudigitalplaybook] and 49ers Museum, provide an honest look behind the scenes at how successful partnerships begin, what the growing pains are, and ideas for how everyone, from classroom teachers to district leadership, can develop partnerships to positively impact their students’ lives. Make sure to visit the Chevron STEM Zone [https://www.chevron.com/stemzone] and 49ers EDU [https://www.49ers.com/community/edudigitalplaybook]. For more information about the California STEAM Symposium visit: steamcalifornia.org [http://www.steamcalifornia.org/]

Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division [https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ex/] at the California Department of Education [https://www.cde.ca.gov/], encourages every educator to seize the moment with the Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Grants [//cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/covidreliefgrants.asp]. He encourages looking for community solutions to support student growth this summer and beyond while also providing tangible examples for Local Education Agencies and Expanded Learning Partners. Resources Mentioned: * Free Event: 5/5/21, 9am-3pm PT - A Whole Child Approach to the AB86 Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Grant Convening [https://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/ab86-elo-convening] * California Collaborative for Educational Excellence [https://ccee-ca.org/] * California AfterSchool Network [https://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/] * Expanded Learning Opportunities Grants Frequently Asked Questions [https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/covidgrantsfaqs.asp#elomain] * AB-86 COVID-19 relief and school reopening, reporting, and public health requirements [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB86] * COVID-19 Relief Funding Summary Sheet from CDE [https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/cr/relieffunds.asp]

Jessica Sawko, Associate Director of the California STEM Network [https://www.childrennow.org/castemnetwork/], and Juanita Chan, STEM and College and Careers Pathway Coordinator for Rialto Unified School District [https://kec.rialto.k12.ca.us/], join us. We discuss rethinking inclusive practices for a post-distance learning world, and they give tips for advocating for science no matter your role in education. Our guests also talk about the challenge with measuring potential learning loss and the need for assessments to provide data points to inform the LCAP process occurring now in districts. Both guests also share tools to assist educators in advocating for Science. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: CA4NGSS: Science Advocacy CommunicationsToolkit [https://cdefoundation.org/cde_programs/ca-4-ngss/] - Curated core messages, slide presentations, and other communication toolkits Opportunity for Successful Science Implementation in a Post-Pandemic Climate - Guidance for using the LCAP to Mitigate Science Learning Loss [https://www.rcoe.us/home/showpublisheddocument?id=3431] Note: This was recorded while the state was still in negotiations with the U.S. Department of Education regarding the State Board approved plan for assessment for the 2020/2021. For the latest information on science and other state testing requirements for 2020/2021, please visit CDE’s website [https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/covid19assessmentfaq.asp].

“I am optimistic.  We went through a really hard time this last year and I am optimistic that we are going to rebuild better and that this is an opportunity for us to really think about what is best for kids, families, and teachers. People are really understanding the benefits are starting early and I’m really hopeful that this will turn into action.” We welcome Patricia Lozano, Executive Director of Early Edge California [https://earlyedgecalifornia.org/], to explore the recently released report, Building A Coherent P-12 Education System In California [https://cdefoundation.org/staging/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/D_FLP_BuildingCoherent_TP-12_EdSysteminCA_0207921.pdf] and reflect on the report’s kick-off webinar [https://youtu.be/iGDCUbafq4M]. She shares about her journey from Colombia to California. She also lends her expertise to highlight family engagement strategies and the benefits of supporting our multilingual students and families. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: * Executive Summary - Building A Coherent P-12 Education System In California [https://cdefoundation.org/staging/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Building-a-Coherent-P-12-Education-System-in-California.ES_.pdf] * Full Report - Building A Coherent P-12 Education System In California [https://cdefoundation.org/staging/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/D_FLP_BuildingCoherent_TP-12_EdSysteminCA_0207921.pdf] * Webinar Recording - Improving A Child’s Education Journey: A Conversation About K-12 Policy & Early Learning in California [https://youtu.be/iGDCUbafq4M]