We can all probably think of a small business in our neighborhood that either closed during COVID-19 or came dangerously close to closing. Mantra Coffee, one of my favorite coffee shops in Azusa, California, turned to the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe in late 2020 in order to keep their doors open.…
As summer approaches, many students and parents are celebrating the completion of another school year. Are all students prepared to move on to the next grade? Who decides if a student is at risk of being held back? Grade retention policies vary by state, and in 18 states, including California,…
On April 28, 2021, the eve of his 100th day in office, President Joe Biden proposed a $1.8 trillion American Families Plan that would expand universal prekindergarten access, provide two years of free community college education, and fund programs to train and support teachers (Education Week). Biden said in his…
Recently, we passed the one-year mark of the pandemic. The idea that it would take “two weeks to flatten the curve” serves almost as a comedic reminder that we had no idea what the future was going to bring. Prominent research institutions like McKinsey & Company, think tanks, and nonprofit…
Over the years, standardized tests like the SAT and ACT have become synonymous with the college admissions process. Some students self-study, others cycle through rigorous test prep courses or work with private tutors to maximize their scores on the Writing, Reading, and Math sections. However, this close relationship between tests…