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U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez has struck down California school policies that prevented educators from disclosing a student's gender identity to their parents. The case, initiated by teachers Elizabeth Mirabelli and Lori Ann West, argued that these policies violated their constitutional rights. Benitez said: "Parents and guardians have a federal constitutional right to be informed if their public school student child expresses gender incongruence." The ruling applies to all California public schools and has drawn mixed reactions, with the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus expressing concern that it "deliberately injects confusion" into existing laws. California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing the need for safe environments for transgender students. Legal experts suggest the case may escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

EdSource

California K-12 schools are implementing new measures to prevent sexual abuse, following a surge in lawsuits against districts. Senate Bill 848, effective January 1, mandates comprehensive policies for staff training and reporting misconduct. “For survivors, this is an important step toward justice,” said state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, the bill's author. The law aims to create a database of teachers credibly accused of abuse, preventing them from moving to other districts. This initiative comes after AB 218 allowed victims to file lawsuits until age 40, resulting in over 1,000 lawsuits and nearly $3bn in claims against California schools. The new law seeks to enhance accountability and protect students from future abuse.

 

Time-Standard

TTown Media

For the fifth consecutive year, American teenagers' use of drugs and alcohol remains at a historic low, according to the National Institute of Health-funded Monitoring the Future survey. This survey, which has tracked student behaviors for over 50 years, indicates that the decline in substance use that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a lasting trend. Richard Miech, a research professor and lead investigator, said: "Many expected teen drug use levels to return to pre-pandemic levels once the social distancing policies were lifted, but this has not happened." The survey revealed that 91% of eighth-graders, 82% of 10th-graders, and 66% of 12th-graders reported not using marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine in the month prior to the survey. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, called the results encouraging, noting that "so many teens choose not to use drugs at all." However, she emphasized the need for continued monitoring of these trends.

 

Star-Telegram

U.S. high schools are increasingly deploying AI surveillance tools - cameras, sensors and predictive algorithms - to enhance safety amid concerns about school shootings and student behavior. A Futurism report highlights Beverly Hills High’s full-scale monitoring, including restroom audio sensors and facial recognition. Critics warn of privacy violations, psychological harm, and minimal safety gains, with mishaps like a Vancouver data breach illustrating risks. Legal scholars raise Fourth Amendment concerns, and students, parents, and educators are pushing back. Despite federal warnings and new privacy laws, widespread adoption continues, prompting urgent calls for ethical oversight and data safeguards.

 

Web Pro News

The Congressional–Executive Commission on China (CECC) recommends major expansion of U.S. Mandarin immersion programs, using the U.S.–Taiwan Education Initiative as a model to avoid Chinese government influence. Its 2025 report calls for more language education in Tibetan and Uyghur as well, citing national security and human rights concerns. The CECC supports legislation restricting K–12 schools from partnering with Chinese-linked entities and urges federal funding transparency. “Linguistic and cultural experts” are essential, it argues, to counter covert Chinese influence and strengthen U.S. institutions.

 

Language Magazine

New research warns that even infrequent cannabis use can negatively impact teenagers' academic performance and emotional well-being. The study, published in the journal Pediatric, found that using cannabis just once or twice a month is linked to poorer school performance and increased emotional distress. Dr. Ryan Sultán, the study leader and Assistant Professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, said: "A few ‘harmless' joints can snowball into real academic consequences." The findings highlight that today's cannabis products are more potent, containing two to three times more THC than in the past, which raises concerns about their effects on developing brains. The study analyzed data from over 160,000 American students, revealing that adolescents who used cannabis reported higher rates of depression-like symptoms and poor academic engagement.

 

Bradenton.com

Keys News

Research indicates that early childhood education significantly benefits students throughout their academic journeys; however, support for pre-K teachers remains limited. Elizabeth D. Steiner, a PK-12 education policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, stated: "Public school pre-K teachers are an understudied population." The RAND American Public School Pre-K Teacher Survey highlights the challenges faced by pre-K educators, including access to professional development and instructional materials. Despite a slight increase in average salaries, many teachers reported stagnant wages when adjusted for inflation. The survey also revealed a need for enhanced professional learning opportunities, particularly in teaching math and supporting diverse learners.

 

Education Week News

The Pajaro Valley USD Board of Trustees reaffirmed its decision to lay off 81 certificated employees, voting 4-2 in a special meeting. This decision, made in light of a $15m budget deficit, follows a controversial previous vote where public comments were limited. President Carol Turley said: “This is a board that values public comment,” emphasizing the need for community input. However, the meeting faced criticism for being scheduled during winter break and lacking a Spanish interpreter. Chris Webb, a social studies teacher, expressed concerns about the meeting's transparency, stating: “I feel that this meeting is in bad faith.” Despite the backlash, Trustee Jessica Carrasco assured the community that solutions are being developed, saying: “We do not plan to cut services and walk away from our students.” The deadline for issuing layoff notices is March 15, 2026.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Teachers at Torrance USD recently achieved a significant milestone when the TUSD School Board approved a tentative labor agreement with the Torrance Teachers Association. The agreement includes a 2.23% salary increase retroactively effective from July 1, 2025, along with a one-time payment of $1,500 to help offset rising costs. "This agreement is a step forward for our educators," said a representative from the Torrance Teachers Association, highlighting the importance of supporting teachers in their roles.

 

Daily Breeze

As national education spending per pupil increases, student enrollment is declining, raising concerns about the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars in public schools. Since 2002, K-12 spending has surged by over 35%, yet enrollment has dropped by 2.1%, equating to over a million students lost in five years. Test scores are also falling, with only one-third of students achieving proficiency in reading, according to the National Assessment Governing Board. Despite record spending, including New York's $32,284 per pupil in 2024, educational outcomes remain stagnant. The report by Reason Foundation highlights that public school spending is nearing $1trn annually, yet the achievement gap continues to widen.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Los Angeles USD will implement budget cuts, staffing reductions, and school consolidations as enrollment declines and pandemic relief funds expire. Chief Financial Officer Saman Bravo-Karimi said the district has had “fewer students each year . . . for over two decades,” sharply reducing per-pupil funding. A projected $1.6bn deficit for 2027–28 was erased using reserves and cost savings, but schools will begin cutting budgets in 2026–27, with consolidations and layoffs following. Officials say community needs will be considered, though hundreds of layoffs are expected.

 

The 74 (Online)

The Campbell UHSD has agreed to pay $5.75m to settle claims against Shawn Thomas, a former teacher accused of having an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student. The allegations surfaced nearly two years ago, with the abuse reportedly occurring in the early 2000s. Thomas, who faces multiple criminal charges including rape, was arrested in March 2024. The settlement aims to provide justice for the victim, who is now in her late 30s, and emphasizes the need for schools to prioritize student safety. The case also highlights the dangers of teachers being supervised by their spouses, as was the case with Thomas and his wife, a dean at the school.

 

Mercury News

In Los Angeles, a Chilean teenager spent more than three months in immigration detention after being arrested just days before starting his senior year of high school. Benjamin Guerrero Cruz said agents detained him while he was walking his dog in the San Fernando Valley, leaving him asking, “What did I do?” As he sat in ICE custody, Los Angeles teachers, neighbors, and classmates rallied for his release. Community advocates said his case shows how immigration enforcement disrupts students’ education and family life. Benjamin was ultimately released and returned to school in L.A.

 

Los Angeles Times

Reed Elementary School in San Jose issued an apology following a winter concert where board trustee Brian Wheatley performed a song with "references that were not appropriate for a young audience." Principal Jennifer Ponzio stated in an email to parents that the song, dating back to the 1940s, included a mention of a weapon. "This moment does not reflect the values of our school or of San Jose Unified, and we deeply regret that it occurred during an event meant to be joyful," Ponzio said.

 

East Bay

Mercury News

During the recent organizational meeting of the Castaic USD, Laura Pearson was elected as president and Erik Richardson as clerk. Vincent Titiriga will serve as the presiding officer in the absence of the president and clerk, while Superintendent Bob Brauneisen has been designated as the board's secretary.

 

Signalscv.com

California's law prohibiting colleges from withholding transcripts due to unpaid debts aims to protect students' educational and employment opportunities. However, a recent UC Merced survey revealed that 24 out of 115 community colleges still miscommunicate this change, stating on their websites that unpaid balances could block transcript access. While the law has benefitted many students, the misinformation persists, leading to concerns about compliance. The California Community Colleges chancellor's office acknowledged the issue as a clerical problem and emphasized that colleges are informed about the law.

 

Los Angeles Times

The Modesto Bee

Access to college is increasingly challenging for first-generation, low-income students in the U.S., with Americans spending around $500m on educational consultants. Alondra Martinez, a senior at Stanford University, emphasized that without programs like USC's Bovard Scholars, many students would struggle to apply. Data shows disparities in college enrollment, with it shown that only 55% of Black and Latino students enroll within a year of high school graduation.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal