Professional Learning Pathways

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Attendance

The primary sources of K-12 education funding are determined by a local educational agency’s (LEA) average daily attendance (ADA). This learning pathway offers ways to increase, account for, and report ADA.

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Collective Bargaining

Labor expectations are ever present. This learning pathway will equip participants with the tools and insights needed to lead effective and strategic negotiations and contains important information for all levels of the business and fiscal departments, as well as other negotiating team members.

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Human Resources

An LEA’s largest expense is its employees. This learning pathway addresses essential human resources practices that support effective supervision, employee accountability, and organizational operations. The courses promote clarity, consistency, and sound decision-making in managing staff.

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School Business

This learning pathway addresses key fiscal processes and requirements, including budgeting, accounting, audits, position control, and financial reporting. The courses support accuracy, consistency, and effective financial management across the organization.

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Special Education

High-quality, compliant special education programs that support the needs of students with disabilities are key to an LEA’s educational program and operations. This learning pathway provides essential guidance on core special education policies, fiscal requirements, and program operations, and the courses are designed to support accurate implementation and promote consistency and effective service delivery.

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The Basics

This learning pathway introduces the fundamentals of key topics, offering practical knowledge and shared understanding. The courses are ideal for building confidence and fluency in essential areas of work.

Upcoming Courses (by Date)

October 8, 2026

Course-Based Independent Study

Course-based independent study (CBIS) offers local educational agencies a flexible way to deliver high-quality instruction through board-certified courses while generating average daily attendance (ADA) based on . . .
October 15, 2026

Paid PDL—Compliance and Implementation

Beginning January 1, 2027, California public school employers will be required to provide paid Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) to eligible employees experiencing disability due to pregnancy or related conditions. This technical webinar provides . . .
October 27, 2026

Position Control—The Fundamentals

Position control is a critical set of procedures that helps local educational agencies (LEAs) manage personnel expenditures and maintain fiscal accountability. With personnel costs typically representing 80-85% of total expenditures, implementing an . . .
December 1, 2026

Effectively Managing Reductions in Force

This technical course is designed to help human resources (HR) and business leaders effectively navigate the complicated statutory layoff processes for certificated and classified employees. The session is intended for . . .
December 3, 2026

Average Daily Attendance Reporting

Local educational agencies (LEAs) collect and report attendance data multiple times each year to meet funding, compulsory education, and accountability requirements. While the criteria for generating attendance are . . .
February 2, 2027

Employee Leave Management

This course provides practical guidance for managing employee leave in local educational agencies (LEAs), including navigating federal and state requirements, Education Code compliance, collective bargaining agreements, and local board policies. Participants will learn . . .
February 9, 2027

Advanced Collective Bargaining

As California’s TK-12 local educational agencies (LEAs) prepare for the 2026-27 school year, they face a markedly different collective bargaining landscape shaped by coalition bargaining, coordinated campaigns, fiscal constraints, and declining enrollment. At the same time, rising costs and . . .
February 11, 2027

School Calendars and Bell Schedules

Local educational agencies develop school calendars, bell schedules, and internal attendance reporting calendars each year to meet instructional time requirements, report average daily attendance for . . .
February 16, 2027

Instructional Time and Attendance Planning

Instructional time, attendance, and teacher supervision requirements play a critical role in promoting equitable, high-quality instruction and supporting student engagement across California. Because these requirements are closely tied to . . .
February 23, 2027

Federal Compliance—How to Stay Out of Trouble

For many education professionals, federal compliance is an “other duties as assigned” responsibility—often learned through experience and evolving guidance. Yet, compliance requirements are complex, detailed, and critical, with potential consequences including . . .
April 6, 2027

SACS 101—Budget Development

The Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) software is California’s required financial reporting tool for K-12 education, ensuring revenues and expenditures are recorded accurately and consistently. As the system used to report on the use of public funds, a strong understanding of SACS is . . .
April 13, 2027

Independent Study—Compliance and Best Practices

Local educational agencies (LEAs) continue to implement California’s reformed independent study laws while meeting growing demand for high-quality remote learning options. This course will break down current requirements and explore how LEAs can design . . .
May 4, 2027

Construction from Start to Finish

Construction can be daunting, whether an entire program or just one project. Knowing where to start and how to navigate the process is key—both for anyone leading the process from start to finish and those . . .
June 15, 2027

Special Education—Both Sides of the Equation

High-quality, compliant special education programs require strong alignment between available funding, appropriate staffing, and student needs. Despite increased state funding, many districts face rising General Fund contributions and ongoing challenges such as declining
June 22, 2027

Closing the Books

Closing the books—also known as preparing the Unaudited Actuals—is a critical process for local educational agencies (LEAs) that differs in key ways from budget development. While the budget serves as a financial roadmap, year-end close requires LEAs to . . .

Online workshops

Other Upcoming Events