California’s 2025 School Dashboard was released Thursday, providing a comprehensive snapshot of how the state’s students, schools, and districts are performing across a range of academic and school-climate measures. The annual accountability tool — created by the California Department of Education in 2017 — evaluates progress using multiple indicators such as English language arts and math achievement, graduation rates, suspension rates, chronic absenteeism, and college and career readiness.
Read Full Story
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond celebrated a new study published by the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) that shows the strongly positive impact of California’s community schools initiative. The community schools strategy builds partnerships between public schools and community organizations to provide resources, such as mental health services or family outreach, that engage families and serve the whole child.
Four Kern County elementary schools have been recognized as 2025 California Distinguished Schools, earning one of the state’s highest honors for public schools. The distinction celebrates schools demonstrating outstanding academic achievement and significant progress in closing performance gaps among student groups.
In a significant move to equip young Californians with essential life skills, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill last June that will require financial literacy education in high schools. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, all high schools in the state will offer a semester-long personal finance course; by the 2030-31 school year, financial literacy will become a graduation requirement. This initiative aims to give youth the tools they need to navigate adult financial life.
Several schools across Kern County have been recognized for their outstanding work implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). PBIS, an evidence-based approach designed to create positive school environments and improve student behavior, has gained traction across California.
Kern County schools are tackling chronic absenteeism by addressing sleep deprivation and fostering strong student-family relationships. Initiatives like Student Sleep Health Month, community engagement, and targeted support have helped reduce absenteeism, improving student success.
Thanks to California’s Universal Meal Program (UMP), all students in Kern’s 46 school districts will once again have access to free breakfast and lunch regardless of income during their school day.
California recently enacted a new law that will require high school students to complete a semester-long ethnic studies course before graduation. In anticipation, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) is taking significant steps to prepare educators for the new requirement.
Two high school seniors in the Delano Joint Union High School District have been awarded the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship, securing a full-ride to the college of their choice.
School enrollment is up slightly countywide for the third year. Pockets of southwest and northwest Bakersfield account for most of the growth.
Amid sprawling almond orchards and oil patches on Kern’s west side, a unique partnership has emerged that embodies what it means to truly collaborate to uplift an entire community.
Sierra Sands Unified School District Superintendent Dr. April Moore has partnered with Bakersfield Assemblyman Vince Fong to author Assembly Bill 2019. The bill would amend California law to allow for more flexibility for school districts wanting to expand their dual enrollment offerings.
Community Schools are a nationwide initiative to bring education together with whole communities. They not only focus on academics, but also on providing students and families with wraparound support services such as social emotional support, healthcare, transportation and much more.
The Kern High School District (KHSD) teamed up with Virtual Enterprise International (VEI) to host the 25th annual Virtual Enterprise California Conference and Trade Exhibition on Jan. 17 & 18, 2024.
The 2023 iteration of the School Dashboard, California’s annual report card for its K-12 public education system, was released today. Part of the state’s education accountability system, the Dashboard provides parents and educators with meaningful information on school and district progress so they can participate in decisions to improve student learning.
