Tony Thurmond

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will host a webinar on Tuesday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m. to assist schools in building strategies to counter declining enrollment.

School districts across the state are experiencing a high level of declining enrollment. In April, the California Department of Education released the statewide student enrollment data report. Even before the pandemic, many California communities were experiencing population drops and corresponding lower student enrollment. The pandemic exacerbated declines as students left public schools and left the state, Thurmond said.

Webinar participants will learn about best practices to offset declining enrollment such as expanding dual-language immersion programs and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics academies to attract parents and families.

Thurmond is sponsoring legislation that supports dual-language immersion programs and is working on a strategy to help school districts expand STEAM academies using funds provided by the state, such as Expanded Learning Opportunities grants. The webinar will also provide an opportunity for participants to learn ways they can better market new programs to families to increase engagement and boost enrollment. Thurmond has convened a group of researchers, school staff and advisors to assist with implementing strategies for countering declining enrollment.

For information, email enrollment@cde.ca.gov. The May 23 webinar will be livestreamed on the CDE Facebook page at facebook.com/caeducation.