21CSLA - 21st Century California School Leadership Academy

"You either design for equity or you perpetuate inequity"—so says LEAD director Lihi Rosenthal in our latest Equity Leadership Now! episode featuring two recent LEAD graduates, Tu Carroz and Olufemi Ogundele, sharing how LEAD has prepared them to address systemic issues in education through both rigorous academic inquiry and practical leadership. Listen now! https://bse.berkeley.edu/eln/ep-8-lead

At the Annual Meredith Fellows Implementation Conference today, our team presented on incorporating early learning into leadership preparation through 21CSLA's free UTK Leadership Certificate courses. These courses, available at no cost to any PASC and CASC candidates, aim to provide educational leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to promote equity and play in early childhood education settings.

Participants explored key research and practices, including navigating pressing issues like purposeful play and balancing school readiness. The session also created space for leaders across California to share their experiences as we prepare for the full rollout of Transitional Kindergarten in the 2025-2026 school year.

Education leaders, are you feeling the pressure as demand for social emotional learning (SEL) increases? Join us for a free webinar on 9/18! Leaders from the field Courtney Curtis (Principal, Hoover High School, Fresno USD), Dyane Plumly (Principal, Monarch School, San Diego COE), and Tiffany Whelden (Principal, Oak Ridge Elementary, Sacramento City USD) will discuss how they are incorporating equity into SEL implementation to ensure educational excellence for all. They will be joined by SEL experts Mai Xi Lee and Valerie B. Shapiro and host Jabari Mahiri.

Register: 21csla.tiny.us/sel-webinar

Research-Practice Webinar, September 18 | Leading Toward Justice with Social-Emotional Learning Join us on Wednesday, September 18 from 3:30–4:30 pm PT for a research-backed and practice-relevant conversation around cultivating equity and inclusivity within educational environments.

Explore our latest research-practice brief, "Approaching Research–Practice Partnerships: Considerations for Equity-Oriented School Leaders." This brief examines the role of long-term collaborations between research organizations and educational institutions in advancing school improvement through an equity lens. It outlines three critical considerations for school and district leaders—establishing relationships, defining purposes, and planning participation—while addressing the complexities of power and privilege within these partnerships. A valuable resource for leaders seeking to translate equity aspirations into meaningful action. Read the brief:

Approaching Research–Practice Partnerships: Considerations for Equity-Oriented School Leaders Research–practice partnerships (RPPs) have emerged as a promising approach for school improvement and promoting equity. For the sake of this brief, we address RPPs as long- term commitments between a research organization (e.g., university) and an educational institution (school or district). RPP ...

As we look forward, we’re excited for another year of collaboration and co-creation, working together to bring meaningful transformation to classrooms across California. Read our September news: https://21cslacenter.berkeley.edu/news/21csla-news-september-2024

🎙️ New ELN Podcast Episode! https://bse.berkeley.edu/eln/ep-7-pli

In the latest episode of the ELN podcast, we're discussing the UC Berkeley Principal Leadership Institute (PLI) and its essential role in preparing the next generation of school leaders focused on promoting equity. Find out how PLI supports leaders in having difficult conversations about race, class, and equity, while also fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration. This episode also highlights the significant impact of the DELPI Grant, an innovative initiative that offers crucial tuition assistance to aspiring leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.

Whether you're a PLI alum, an aspiring leader, or someone passionate about education, this episode is for you. Tune in now and join us in the conversation about leading for equity in education!


UC Berkeley

"This room is filled with hope, the very reason we’ve gathered here—you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t believe in the future of early education. We stand at a pivotal moment, ready to shape that future with equity as our guide. Your unwavering dedication is transforming classrooms across California—thank you for being the change."

That’s a wrap on Day 2 of the UTK Regional Training Event in LA! Today was a powerful reminder of the transformative potential in early education when equity is at the forefront. Today's trainings focused on key themes such as family and community engagement, the importance of a cohesive educational journey from preschool through third grade, and delved into social-emotional development. We are inspired by the transformative moments shared by over 50 UTK Trainers and look forward to the lasting impact our collective leadership will bring.

"These modules are designed to drive real change and transformation by emphasizing that belonging and inclusion are not optional—they are essential. We must move beyond our fears of doing too little and focus on ensuring that every child belongs. We must be fully prepared for every child who walks through our doors, or we are not truly advancing equity."

We are thrilled to announce that the UTK Team has officially launched all 8 UTK Professional Training Modules at our Regional Training Event in Los Angeles! We kicked off the training by empowering our leaders to shift mindsets, embrace purposeful play, and foster inclusive learning environments. From exploring the profound "why" behind the UTK initiative to unpacking critical equity issues, our mission is clear: ensure every child feels they belong and receives the opportunities they deserve. Together, we're committed to making lasting, equitable changes in education.

Learn more about the UTK Modules today: https://21cslacenter.berkeley.edu/utk-professional-learning-modules

Earn Your UTK Leadership Certificate at UC Berkeley this Fall! 🎊

Apply today for the Fall 21CSLA Universal Transitional Kindergarten UTK Leadership Certificate Program at University of California, Berkeley! This is a valuable opportunity for candidates to enhance their skills in equity-focused instructional leadership for P-3 implementation. This no-cost, university credit-bearing program is open to those currently in a Preliminary or Clear Administrative Services Credential (ASC) program or holding a Certificate of Eligibility.

Participants will learn about UTK leadership and policy, collaborate with other leaders, and prepare for job searches and interviews. Completing two 10-session virtual courses will earn a UC Berkeley UTK Leadership Certificate. Courses include “Equity Centered Leadership Practices to Support, Integrate, and Align Transitional Kindergarten (TK)” and “Leaders Designing Equitable Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Classrooms in Action,” and may be taken individually or in any order.

Help us spread the word and reach as many eligible candidates as possible! Learn more today:

Earn Your UTK Leadership Certificate at UC Berkeley! Apply today for the 21CSLA Universal Transitional Kindergarten UTK Leadership Certificate Program at UC Berkeley! This is a valuable opportunity for candidat...

Education leaders, are you feeling the pressure as demand for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) increases? Join us for a free webinar on 9/18 with SEL experts Mai Xi Lee and Valerie B. Shapiro, host Jabari Mahiri, and a panel of boots-on-the-ground leaders from the field discussing the research on SEL and how they are implementing SEL with an equity focus to ensure educational excellence for all.

Register: 21csla.tiny.us/sel-webinar

Research-Practice Webinar, September 18 | Leading Toward Justice with Social-Emotional Learning Join us on Wednesday, September 18 from 3:30–4:30 pm PT for a research-backed and practice-relevant conversation around cultivating equity and inclusivity within educational environments.

“The goal is an equity-centered leadership focus so that we can dismantle inequities and address the challenges that we see across the state of California.” - Nancy Parachini

We’re proud of our 21CSLA team’s incredible work supporting educational leaders across California. A special shoutout to Nancy Parachini and our UCLA colleagues for their dedication to equity-centered professional learning. Your efforts in areas like distance learning, multilingual learners, and neurodiverse students are truly making a difference. Recent events have highlighted our collaborative spirit and the importance of diverse voices in education. Keep up the amazing work!

https://seis.ucla.edu/news/ucla-education-prepares-school-leadership-to-serve-with-equity-social-justice/


UCLA School of Education & Information Studies

UCLA Education Prepares School Leadership to Serve with Equity, Social Justice - UCLA School of Education & Information Studies Ed&IS researchers share expertise with 21CSLA, a statewide collaboration to support principals, districts, and educational leaders in learning from divergent […]

Ready to dive into the world of AI and its impact on education? 🎙️ Tune in to our new Equity Leadership Now! podcast episode and discover how educators can harness AI technology responsibly to create equitable learning experiences and what essential AI skills students need to thrive in our evolving world.

This episode features TWO dynamic discussions featuring:

Chris Mah (Doctoral Student, Stanford University)
Hilary Walker (Director, Bay Area Writing Project)
Host: Professor Jabari Mahiri

🎧 Listen Now: https://bse.berkeley.edu/eln/ep-6-mah-and-walker

Our new brief shares highlights from our recent 21CSLA Research-Practice Webinar on the importance of centering foster and unhoused youth in conversations around equity in schools. Read the brief—and learn more about featured researcher Dr. Tyrone Howard's new book: https://21cslacenter.berkeley.edu/publications/webinar-highlights-centering-our-most-vulnerable-students

This week, we conducted a transformative training event with the Regional Academies, focusing on integrating the 21CSLA UTK Professional Learning modules to advance equity and purposeful play in UTK. Our UTK modules support diverse early learning options, promote high-quality, equity-centered TK classrooms, and emphasize inclusive practices across preschool through third grade. Topics include developmentally appropriate instruction, socio-emotional development, inclusive practices for English Language Learners, and family engagement—among many other crucial areas.

This event marks the beginning of something pivotal. We’re committed to making purposeful play and equitable practices a reality in our schools. Together, we can bring joy back into learning and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. 📚

Drop everything and check out the latest episode of Equity Leadership Now! Why do teachers leave low-income schools? According to Susan Moore Johnson, it's NOT because they are fleeing "bad" students. It's because of unfulfilling work environments. Listen to more of Dr. Moore Johnson's research on school leadership and transformation: https://bse.berkeley.edu/eln/ep-5-susan-moore-johnson

New research brief alert! Despite the fact that more than one in five students in the US attend rural schools, rural schools and education are often neglected when it comes to policy-making and academic scholarship. In our research, we investigate the unique challenges faced by leaders in rural schools as well as the unique strengths of rural communities that such leaders can capitalize on. Read more:

Equity-Driven Leadership in Rural Education In the United States, over 9.5 million students, or more than one in five students, attend rural schools. Despite their large presence, rural education and schools are often neglected when it comes to policy-making and academic scholarship. In a leadership context, the shortage of qualified principa...

Last week, State Center Director, Dr. Rebecca Cheung, delivered an insightful presentation on 21CSLA at the CCEE Governing Board meeting. The presentation provides an overview of how 21CSLA drives change in practice and leadership action at school sites and among school leaders.

Watch the full presentation here: https://vimeo.com/955377103?share=copy

Board Meeting - June 6, 2024 This is "Board Meeting - June 6, 2024" by CCEE on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

A new report by Learning Policy Institute highlights 21CSLA’s substantial contributions to professional learning for educational leaders across California. Read our summer news: https://mailchi.mp/berkeley/21csla-news-17380144

Apply now to our no-cost UTK Leadership Certificate! Free, online, synchronous courses this summer or fall. Earn 4 units credit through UC Berkeley Extension along with a certificate upon completion of the two-course series. Open to current Preliminary or Clear Administrative Services Credential candidates or those holding a Certificate of Eligibility. Next info session is on Wednesday, July 17. Details: https://21cslacenter.berkeley.edu/utk-leadership-certificate

We are excited to share that the 21CSLA State Center is looking for a Research Coordinator and Researcher to advance our use and integration of research. Apply now: https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=21&JobOpeningId=69924&PostingSeq=1

We are thrilled to announce that the Learning Policy Institute has just released an insightful report highlighting 21CSLA's substantial contributions to professional learning for educational leaders across California. The report provides an overview of how 21CSLA is meeting the needs of educational leaders, emphasizing the importance of leadership development and showcasing practices that have supported strong implementation.

Read it today: https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/developing-educational-leaders-california-report

Developing Educational Leaders in California: The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy In 2019, state legislators re-invested in the discontinued 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) to provide free, high-quality professional learning to PreK–12 educational leaders. Evidence suggests 21CSLA has positively influenced participants' knowledge, skills, and practice...

Investigate the power and potential of community leadership at the Leading for Justice Summit: Realizing Justice Through Community Voice, June 13–14 in downtown Berkeley. You'll hear from YR Media (Youth Radio) and school leaders who have done extraordinary work in their communities, meet with a leadership coach, and walk away with renewed capacity and energy for creating change. Offered by the 21CSLA Bay Area Regional Academy. Details: https://bse.berkeley.edu/21csla-bay-area-regional-academy/summit-2024

How can school leaders challenge the state of justice and democracy in society, critique inequitable practices, and envision better schooling for all students? In our latest brief, we find that the key to transformative leadership is critical reflection within supportive professional communities. Our study draws on the scholarship and theory around these topics, and on our interviews with school leaders serving economically and socially marginalized communities in California. Read: https://bse.berkeley.edu/publications/21csla-transformative-learning


21CSLA - 21st Century California School Leadership Academy

Calling all educators in Imperial County! 🌟 Last Day to Enroll in UTK Professional Learning Opportunity - Inquiry Through Play! with 21CSLA - 21st Century California School Leadership Academy and Imperial County Office of Education. Register today https://bit.ly/4bXxgjK and join us on Wednesday, June 12th, for a transformative "Inquiry Through Play" workshop. Explore the magic of play-based, inquiry-driven instruction in TK classrooms.