This page features a sampling of research-based articles and curated resources focused on the diverse student groups identified in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Each resource is selected to help deepen understanding of the unique strengths, needs, and challenges faced by groups such as English learners, foster youth, students with disabilities, and others. While not comprehensive, this collection offers valuable insights into effective practices, equity-driven strategies, and data-informed approaches that can support planning, implementation, and continuous improvement.

Use these materials to strengthen your district’s capacity to serve all students through inclusive, responsive, and targeted actions.

Student Access to Programs and Resources

• Social Justice Standards Facilitator Guide
• Broadening the Benefits of Dual Enrollment: Reaching Underachieving and Underrepresented Students With Career-Focused Programs
• Learning Hubs-In-person Learning for the Whole Child
• Evaluating the Impact of Early College High Schools
• Adolescent Girls’ Experiences and Gender-Related Beliefs in Relation to Their Motivation in Math/Science and English
• An Early College Initiative in an Urban, High-Poverty School: First-Year Effects on Student Achievement and Non-Academic Indicators
• Dear Colleague Letter on the Nondiscriminatory Administration of School Discipline
• Thriving, Robust, Equity and Transformative Learning & Development

African American Student Group

• African American Achievement Initiative (RCOE)
• Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Achievement for Low-Income Students and Students of Color
• Falling Out of the Lead: Following High Achievers Through High School and Beyond
• State of Black Education 2024 Report Card
• Black Minds Matter 2025
• Beyond the Schoolhouse

English Learner Student Group

• English Learner Roadmap
  • The California English Learner Roadmap Teacher Toolkits
• California Practitioners’ Guide for Educating English Learners with Disabilities
• CA ELA/ELD Framework, Chapter 2: Essential Considerations in ELA/Literacy and ELD Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• Effective Instruction for English Learners
• Multilingual Learners
• How Long Does It Take English Learners to Attain Proficiency?
• Identifying and Supporting English Learner Students with Disabilities
• Meeting the Unique Needs of Long Term English Language Learners
• Meta-Analysis of Research on English Learners (Prepared for RCOE by Hanover Research)
• Principles of Quality Teaching for English Learners
• Reparable Harm: Fulfilling the Unkept Promise of Educational Opportunity for California’s Long-Term English Learners
• Scaffolding Instruction for English Learners
• Secondary School Courses Designed to Address the Language Needs and Academic Gaps of Long-Term English Learners
• English Learners’ Time to Reclassification
• Unlocking Learning: Science as a Lever for English Learner Equity
• Newcomer Education in California

Foster Youth Student Group

• California Foster Care Education Law Factsheets
• Foster Youth Education Toolkit (Created by: ACR, ACSA, CCSESA, CDE, CSBA, CWC, CWDA and ECC)
• Fostering Educational Success
• The Invisible Achievement Gap (Stuart Foundation Study on Foster Youth)
• Foster Youth in California Schools - Student Group Information (CA Department of Education)
• Foster Youth Outcomes and Recommended Practices
• Study of the Educational Placement of Children Residing in Group Homes
• Best Practices Guide for Developing a District System to Improve Outcomes for Youth in Foster Care
• Children and Youth System of Care Technical Assistance
• CDE Foster Youth Services Coordinating Programs (FYSCPs)
• Understanding Belonging, Support, and Perseverance

 Low Income Student Group

• Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Achievement for Low-Income Students and Students of Color
• Double Jeopardy: How Third Grade Reading Skills and Poverty Influence High School Graduation
• Falling Out of the Lead: Following High Achievers Through High School and Beyond
• Vulnerable Youth and the Transition to Adulthood: Youth From Low-Income Families (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
• Jump-Starting the Future for Students Living in Deep Poverty | Learning Policy Institute
• 3 Factors to Focus on When Teaching Kids Living in Poverty - Teach. Learn. Grow. (nwea.org)
• Poverty and Its Impact on Students’ Education | NASSP
• Getting Down to the Facts

Students with Exceptional Needs Student Group

• Identifying and Supporting English Learner Students with Disabilities
• Common Core Resources for Special Education - Special Education (CA Department of Education)
• Secondary Transition Planning - Special Education (CA Department of Education)
• English Learners with Disabilities - Services & Resources (CA Department of Education)

Immigrant Student Group

• The School Readiness of the Children of Immigrants in the United States: The Role of Families, Childcare and Neighborhoods
• Guide to Safe and Welcoming Schools (californianstogether.org)
• Migrant - Migrant/International (CA Department of Education)
• Welcoming, Registering, and Supporting Newcomer Students: A Toolkit for Educators of Immigrant and Refugee Students in Secondary Schools
• Newcomer Tool Kit (PDF) (ed.gov)
• Newcomer Students - Resources (CA Department of Education)
• Assembly Bill 2121 Frequently Asked Questions - Title III (CA Department of Education)