Education Archives - Page 2 of 16

Chico Unified eyes some declining test scores

Primary schools see improvement

by Natalie Hanson | Posted March 14, 2025

photo courtesy of state Department of Education

Almost 53 percent of Chico Unified students met or surpassed the standard for English Language Arts testing in the 2023-24 school year.

Test scores in English are on the rise at some Chico Unified School District (CUSD) elementary schools, but there was an overall decline in English and math at 16 of the district’s 22 schools, including the two high schools.

An analysis of state and national test scores shows the average student remains half a grade level behind pre-pandemic achievement in both reading and math.

CUSD, as a whole, is following that trend.

Schools showing the most progress in both English and math were McManus, Citrus, Chapman, Little Chico Creek and Hooker Oak elementary schools, said Tim Cariss, CUSD director of assessment and accountability. For example, Hooker Oak and Little Chico Creek improved their math scores during the 2023-24 academic year by 16.6 and 9.8 points, respectively. McManus students are still below the state standard in English testing, but they made the most growth by improving 17.6 points last year. read more

Protesters chant while job fair is underway; CSUC notches up security

ICE representatives participate in CSUC student recruitment

by ChicoSol staff | Posted February 26, 2025

“Fuera ICE” (Out with ICE) reads a protester’s sign at the BMU today.

About 40 protesters gathered in front of the Bell Memorial Union (BMU) today to protest the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Chico State job fair.

Two recruiters from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a law enforcement agency within ICE, were recruiting at the fair. “No justice, no peace, until ICE leaves,” protesters chanted in the plaza outside the BMU as other students waited in line to check in so that they could attend the fair.

The single-door check-in process was a new step implemented for today’s fair, said Andrew Staples, university public relations manager. read more

Chico State students protest plans to include ICE at job fair

Homeland Security Investigations has job and volunteer openings

by ChicoSol staff | Posted February 24, 2025

Students protested at Chico State today.

A group of protesters circled the Chico State campus today, then gathered on the lawn near the Bell Memorial Union to protest the participation of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) at a job fair that will be held Feb. 26.

“No ICE on campus!” chanted marching protesters. “We do not need people who are choosing to dehumanize our fellow humans, our friends and our family and the members of our community on our campus, threatening their safety,” said an organizer, Anna Krause.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), San Francisco/NorCal, a law enforcement component within ICE, has registered to attend Chico State’s Business Career Fair. The flier for the fair indicates the agency has openings for special agents as well as student volunteers. read more

Teisha Hase, a “child advocate,” assumes trustee seat

"There needs to be a focus on mental health"

by Natalie Hanson | Posted January 13, 2025

Editor’s note: Gayle Olsen and Teisha Hase joined the Chico Unified School District (CUSD) board this month after winning seats in the Nov. 5 General Election. Read our Q-and-A with Olsen here and our Q-and-A with Hase below. Read our sidebar on policy under the Trump Administration here.

Longtime English and reading educator Teisha Hase is taking her dedication to students to the next level as she assumes her seat on the CUSD board representing Trustee Area 3.

Hase told ChicoSol she’s excited to take on this new journey after 27 years working at Chico and Oroville high schools and tutoring students needing alternative support. Hase, who considers herself a student advocate, has also served as president of the Oroville Secondary Teachers Association (OSTA). read more

New Chico Unified board member prepares for challenges

Gayle Olsen: "Every student learns differently"

by Natalie Hanson | Posted January 12, 2025

Editor’s note: Gayle Olsen and Teisha Hase joined the Chico Unified School District’s (CUSD) school board this month after winning seats in the Nov. 5 General Election. This Q-and-A with Olsen is the first story in a two-part series. And read our sidebar on what policy under the Trump Administration could look like here.

Gayle Olsen is no stranger to the challenge of fighting for resources for the most vulnerable students.

Now that she’s won the race for a seat on the board in Trustee Area 2, she said she’s ready to leverage that experience to fight for many more students.

A longtime special education teacher, Olsen says she’s ready to step into her new role — especially given how many challenges the school district may be facing within the next two years. On the campaign trail, she previously told North State Public Radio about several of her priorities, including advocating for children’s rights to privacy under the law and pressing for proper funding of facility improvements. read more

Sheriff: school’s “vulnerability” exploited by gunman

DA: Suspect had history of mental health problems

by Yucheng Tang | Posted December 19, 2024

photo by Yucheng Tang

Elias Wolford, one of two shooting victims.

The Dec. 4 Palermo school shooting that severely injured two kindergarteners appears to fit more under “domestic terrorism” than it would under the hate crime category, says Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey.

Ramsey also indicated, in a recent telephone interview, that he believes the violence was related to the suspect’s mental health problems.

Meanwhile, in a social media post last week, a woman who identifies herself as Debbie Wolford, the grandmother of victim Elias Wolford, said Elias hadn’t had movement of his legs since being hospitalized. In another update this week, a post indicates that Elias had undergone emergency surgery that went well. read more