The last few years have been tumultuous for everyone. From lockdowns, drought, protests, shootings, bullies, a global pandemic, and politics. But no one has been hit harder by these issues than our kids. They have become the #1 group to commit suicide or a mass shooting, and as the news reports this frequent story, there are always calls for more mental health assistance to help them. Today we are looking at how well our Inland Southern California Kids are doing, with two experts who are on campuses, leading major efforts to help our kids stay mentally healthy, happy, and productive.

We’ve all heard the saying "it takes a village to raise a child". Well, two Inland community-based programs heard that and said "I think that’s our cue". Big Brothers Big Sisters of Inland Empire and Orange County and the Promise Scholars program are both finding success in helping kids do better in school and begin working for a successful education, career, and life. In this episode of Education Insight, we look at these two unique programs and why it has become so important to them to help kids do better in school and get excited about the future. 

Technology-focused industries are popping up all over the Inland Region, and that begs the question, are students learning the skills they need for highly technical jobs that are right here in our own backyard? From grade schools to universities the response is notable. In the next Education Insight, we explore immersive media, virtual and augmentative reality, artificial intelligence, 3D modeling, and animatronics. We meet some people that are bringing all of that into local elementary schools and universities to make our kids truly competitive.

We hear stories on the news of threats to teachers, mass suspensions, and bullying. Some teachers say that laws just don’t protect them in the class like they used to, so we’re digging deep into the handling of discipline at Inland Empire schools. Where is the problem coming from and who is trying to resolve it? Two experts with rather innovative approaches are finding success and helping to change legislation from here to Capitol Hill. Join us as we explore the discipline in the Inland Empire this week on Education Insight.

An extraordinary number of television shows and movies focus on the struggles of kids in middle school. The struggle is real for kids at an awkward age where decisions are often poorly made. The brain of kids between ages 10-14 is growing at an amazing rate, and experts agree that is when they need to begin to think about a career and college, often despite their indifference. So how do parents and educators get middle schoolers thinking about the future? In today's program, we find answers to the tough questions: How to talk to kids, how to successfully get them to begin preparing for college or a successful career, and when they just need to focus on being a kid. Our guests today work through that with kids and families every day, here in the Inland Empire. 

In the 1970s and 80s, traditionalist educators insisted that a great education should include lots of structure, specific standards of performance, and a heavy dose of memorization of key facts and concepts. These they assured, would help our students to enter the workforce already proficient in language and writing skills, mathematics, science, social studies, and some critical thinking. Are those skills enough for an IE student to succeed in the current and coming workforces. What do students in the Inland Empire need to know today? Are our schools preparing graduates with what they really need to know and preparing our community with upcoming graduates ready to take local businesses and industry into a brighter future? Find out in today's episode.

Featured Guests: Michael Goss, the Director of the Inland Empire/Desert Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research. Paul Granillo, President & CEO, Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP). 

Educators, researchers, scientists, and politicians have proven that if you want your child to make it to college, starting them at pre-school has extraordinary payoffs for lifelong learning. Unfortunately, pre-school operates differently in every community. There are many programs providing free pre-school to very poor communities and a number of almost ivy-league pre-schools for wealthy families. Many middle-class families have been unable to afford what was left for their children. But then-Kevin McCarty, the State Representative from Sacramento crafted AB 22 — a bill aimed at making pre-school or Transitional Kindergarten possible and free for any family in California that chooses to enroll their child. It passed in August and with the assistance of AB130, which provides wrap-around services like additional child-care and extra funding — California is setting up programs across the state. Today we're sorting thru the differences in pre-school and transitional kindergarten, plus what parents can expect.

Featured Guests:

Kevin McCarty, California State Assembly Member, 7th District. Karen Scott, Executive Director of First Five San Bernardino.

Today we're digging deep to learn about college affordability and access – to gain a better understanding of student grants, loans, and the billions that are available right now for students from all backgrounds to use for college. And, what's being done to make the process easier to apply, and make college affordable and accessible for residents of our region.

Featured Guests:

ET Winzer, Director and Strategic Outreach and Engagement at Federal Student Aid (FSA), and Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

Catalina Cifuentes, Executive Director, College and Career Readiness, Riverside County Office of Education.

Angel Rodriguez, Senior Director of Marketing, Public Affairs & Government Relations at the San Bernardino Community College District.

With all of the recent talk about the price of college, many people are asking what the value of a higher education is right now. Is it worth it? What can you expect to make as a result? How much will it cost? How long until it pays off?

In this episode, we'll dive into those questions and more. We sit down with the Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, Dr. Kim Wilcox to hear his thoughts. Plus, we meet Dr. Yvonne Olivares, who recently completed an exhaustive study of Inland Empire high school students to determine their perceived value of a college education. Listen now!

Featured Guests:

Dr. Yvonne Olivares, research scientist, and methodologist, and Kim Wilcox, Chancellor, University of California-Riverside.

Thousands of Inland empire residents have gone to college and then dropped out, sometimes shortly before graduation. However, a plethora of new programs that help adults with child care, grants, food, and academic assistance are beginning to bring those who left back to college.

Today we’re speaking with two people leading the charge to get those adults with some or much college back to finish. First, we talk with Dr. Emma Diaz who serves as a liaison between adult schools district offices, community colleges, and community service agencies to help in the redesign of adult education in the region. Later, Annette Webb tells us about the adult students returning now to get the 4-year degree they wanted all along. And finally, we hear from Linda Awad, a determined woman, and mother who shares her journey of returning back to completing her education.

Featured Guests: Emma Diaz, Annette Webb, Linda Awad.