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Teachers across California are rallying for higher pay, better benefits, and improved classroom conditions, driven by the "We Can’t Wait" campaign from the California Teachers Association. Recently, a six-day strike in West Contra Costa USD resulted in an 8% pay raise and the elimination of health premiums for teachers. David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association, said: "We are leading a historic wave of resistance to demand safe staffing, affordable health care and student-centered budgets." Many districts, including Los Angeles USD and San Francisco USD, are at an impasse with their teachers' unions over contract negotiations, with some teachers indicating readiness to strike. The Los Angeles Unified Teachers Association is planning a strike vote in January, as negotiations for a new contract continue. Teachers are advocating for a starting salary of $80,000 and additional resources for special education and mental health support.

 

EdSource

The recent implementation of a $100,000 sponsorship fee for H-1B visas by the Trump administration poses significant challenges for California's public education system. This fee, in addition to existing application costs ranging from $9,500 to $18,800, has led to concerns among educators and school officials about the ability to attract and retain international teachers, particularly in special education and bilingual programs. Sylvia Greenwood, assistant superintendent for human resources at West Contra Costa USD, said: "With our shortages in special ed, they were a good fit for our district." The California Department of Education reported over 300 visa applications for the 2023-24 school year, highlighting the growing reliance on international educators to fill critical vacancies. As districts face budget constraints, the new fee may exacerbate existing teacher shortages, leaving many positions unfilled and impacting student learning.

 

Los Angeles Times

School districts across the U.S. are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) detection tools, despite evidence indicating their unreliability. Ailsa Ostovitz, a junior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Maryland, faced accusations of using AI for her assignments, which she vehemently denied. "It's mentally exhausting because it's like I know this is my work," Ostovitz said. The Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) clarified that the district does not fund the AI detection software, advising educators against reliance on such tools due to documented inaccuracies. Mike Perkins, a researcher on academic integrity at British University Vietnam, emphasized: "It's now fairly well established in the academic integrity field that these tools are not fit for purpose." Despite these concerns, districts continue to allocate significant funds for these technologies, raising questions about their effectiveness and the potential for misidentifying student work.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

Teenagers in the Tri-Valley are developing AI tools that have significant real-world applications. Projects include a wildfire risk mapping tool and a system to assist emergency responders, with Monte Vista High senior Jacob Trentini stating, “Having a real impact in the world at such a young age and being able to help first responders is really cool.” Another student from Granada High is collaborating with a UCLA professor to create an early detection tool for ALS. The region's educational investments, highlighted by the $374m Emerald High School, which offers advanced computer science programs, have attracted families and fostered these innovative projects.

 

EdSource

Ceres USD students are poised to exceed last year's impressive total of 5,491 books read, having already logged 4,800 books with more to come in November and December. Superintendent Amy Peterman recently hosted a holiday book reading at Caswell Elementary Dual Language Academy, where students enthusiastically shared their book reviews and passion for reading. Last year's reading champion, Gibran Rodriguez Roman, was awarded a Kindle for his outstanding efforts. "We are thrilled to see such enthusiasm for reading among our students," said Peterman.

 

The Modesto Bee

After four years as president and superintendent, Torence Powell will leave Napa Valley College at the end of the 2025-26 academic year to become chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District. "I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next Chancellor," Powell said. His tenure at Napa included significant achievements such as the opening of the college's first student housing complex and the development of the Education Master Plan 2024-2029, which focuses on enrollment stabilization and equitable student outcomes. Powell's leadership also involved navigating challenging negotiations with faculty unions, ultimately avoiding a strike. He previously held various leadership roles within the Los Rios district and has a strong educational background, including a doctorate in educational leadership from UC Davis. His contract with Los Rios will be reviewed by the board on January 14.

 

Press Democrat

A growing consensus among education experts suggests that effective professional development (PD) for teachers isn’t about how many hours are spent in training, but how well those sessions are designed, supported, and integrated into daily practice. While some reports suggest 20–50 hours of PD per year, practitioners argue that ongoing support, relevance to classroom realities, and space to apply and reflect on new skills matter far more. Educators and experts highlighted key challenges, including limited time, mandated one-off trainings with little follow-up, and PD that lacks continuity or relevance. Instead, they advocate for sustained, job-embedded learning with coaching, peer collaboration, and a clear connection to student and teacher outcomes. To better measure impact, experts urge schools to move beyond attendance numbers and instead assess instructional changes and student progress. 

 

Government Technology

The University of San Francisco (USF) is set to enhance its admissions process by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) through a partnership with CollegeVine. This AI system will assist admissions counselors by summarizing applications and identifying missing materials, although it will not make admission decisions. Eric Groves, USF's vice president for strategic enrollment management, emphasized that the goal is to "lighten the load" for counselors who review 20,000-25,000 applications annually. While USF is among the few institutions in the Bay Area adopting AI for admissions, other universities like Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech are also exploring similar technologies. Groves said: "The hope is that we're a little bit faster," highlighting the potential for improved efficiency in the admissions process while maintaining a holistic review approach.

 

San Francisco Examiner

A survey by Quebec’s Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE) union found that 90% of teachers have experienced some form of violence at work. Eighty-one percent reported being a victim of psychological or verbal abuse, 63% reported physical violence, and nearly 11% reported sexual violence. The union is urging Education Minister Sonia LeBel to urgently address what it calls a systemic issue, particularly acute in early childhood education where injuries from preschoolers are common. “We are here to teach, not to be beaten up,” Catherine Renaud, a FAE vice-president told a news conference on Monday. “Like any other worker, we have the right to work without being subjected to acts of violence.”

 

The Globe and Mail