Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Some California Students Who Fare Terribly In Distance Learning Could Return To Campuses

California public schools have been given the okay to invite small groups of the most at-risk students to return to campuses for in-person instruction — even in counties still on the state’s coronavirus watchlist.
But the California Department of Public Health’s new guidance is not meant to pave the way for a reopening of schools.
The new rules aim to provide students who’ve fared terribly in distance learning — especially special education students and English learners — with access to services that are best delivered in-person.
Tony Thurmond, the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, said some school districts had already taken steps toward bringing these students back in small groups:
They were calling them child care pods or technology pods. So this new guidance does create the ability, if a school district says they need to have small groups of students … to be able to come back to school. But it’s very thoughtful in saying, keep those numbers small.
“In addition,” an official FAQ reads, “English learners, students at higher risk of further learning loss or not participating in distance learning, students at risk of abuse or neglect, foster youth and students experiencing homelessness may also be prioritized.”
If schools do invite these small groups back, they’d have to abide by a number of rules:
- Students should be grouped in cohorts of no more than 14 children and two supervising adults.
- Adults that aren’t part of the cohort may provide “specialized services” — such as speech or occupational therapy — to students in one-on-one settings.
- Cohorts should not mix — i.e., kids shouldn’t play together on the school playground.
- No campus should exceed more than 25% of normal capacity.
GO DEEPER:
- Read the state’s new guidelines and accompanying FAQ
- Connect with reporter Carla Javier, who’s been covering the school reopening waiver process
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?