December 11, 2025
In California’s Central Valley, a small K–8 school district is getting big results. Livingston Union School District in Merced County was recently recognized by the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools for outperforming the state in key areas — reducing chronic absenteeism and suspensions while improving student well-being.
How did the district do this? By investing deeply in school counselors and pushing a comprehensive program that goes above and beyond what most schools offer in both academic and mental health support.
Guests:
- Alma Lopez, school counseling coordinator, Livingston Union School District
- Vani Sanganeria, reporter, EdSource
Read more from EdSource:
- How school counselors reduced chronic absenteeism and suspensions at a California school district
- Central Valley school counselor wins national award for ‘relentless’ work with students
- Podcast: What it takes to be an award-winning counselor
Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.
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