GIA Education Report: 11/26/24

Welcome to the GIA Education Report. With the latest in Southern California education news, I’m Alyssa Silva.  

The U.S. Department of Education has officially launched the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid ahead of schedule. Following extensive testing with students, schools, and community partners, the form is now available online at fafsa.gov and in paper format. Over 167,000 students participated in the beta testing phase, ensuring the system’s readiness. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona highlighted that this year’s FAFSA will increase Pell Grant eligibility for over 650,000 additional applicants, furthering efforts to make college more accessible and affordable for students nationwide.  

The University of Redlands is featured in a half-hour episode of Amazon’s College Tour, offering prospective students a glimpse into campus life, innovative programs, and hands-on learning experiences. The episode highlights transformative student journeys, with 10 students selected through a casting call. This national platform aims to showcase the university’s academic and personal impact, providing a unique perspective for future students exploring their college options. The episode is streamed on the university’s website, Amazon, and Apple TV. 

California community colleges are implementing changes to STEM math placement under Assembly Bill 1705, allowing more students to enroll directly in calculus without taking lower-level prerequisite courses. Supporters argue this approach accelerates transfer pathways to four-year colleges, while some educators express concerns about students being underprepared. To address this, corequisite support courses will be offered alongside calculus to integrate preparatory topics. The reforms aim to reduce equity gaps seen in the overplacement of minority and low-income students in remedial classes. 

Students from Redlands East Valley High’s music department joined peers from Southern California to perform in five European countries as part of the 2024 Ambassadors of Music European Tour. Over 80 students participated, showcasing their talents at venues in England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The tour also allowed students to experience European culture and visit landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben. Despite challenges like performing through a thunderstorm, the students delivered well-received performances, earning enthusiastic applause from audiences across Europe. 

The Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD), in partnership with the Riverside County Office of Education and the Corona-Norco PTA, hosted its first Student of the Month event on November 19, 2024, at Corona High School. Honoring top seniors from 10 high schools, the program celebrates students’ achievements, character, and resilience as they prepare for graduation. The first honorees include Giovanni Raymond Klaib (Academy of Innovation), Faoaaai Gatoloai (Centennial High School), Hannah Hass (Corona High School), James Glenny (Eastvale STEM Academy), Andrew Allen (Eleanor Roosevelt High School), Jared Espinosa (John F. Kennedy Middle College High School), Jake Javier Ochoa (Lee V. Pollard High School), Sergio Sanchez Mendez (Norco High School), Angelique Denali Huerta-Mendez (Orange Grove High School), and Landon Christensen (Santiago High School). This initiative will continue through April, highlighting exceptional students across the district.  

And that’s this week’s GIA Education Report, I’m Alyssa Silva.