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California
30th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California schools face funding uncertainty

Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed budget for 2026-2027 initially appears beneficial for California's public schools, promising increased education spending and "record per-pupil funding." However, a deeper analysis reveals significant challenges ahead. Newsom's plan includes delaying $5.6bn owed to schools under Proposition 98, raising concerns about future funding stability. Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, emphasized, “At the end of the day, budgets are really about people,” highlighting the impact on student experiences. With declining enrollment and rising costs, many districts, including Los Angeles USD, are contemplating job cuts and program reductions. The ongoing political climate adds further uncertainty, as federal funding, which constitutes about 6% of California's education budget, remains vulnerable to shifts in policy.

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Multilingual Learner Classroom Strategies from Leading Experts

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TECHNOLOGY

Most teens ignore school phone bans, using devices for 1.5 hours daily

A University of Southern California study has found that while 98% of teens attend schools with cellphone restrictions and most support the rules, students still use their phones for an average of 1.5 hours during the school day. Despite bans, two-thirds of students at schools with full restrictions still use phones in class, often with minimal consequences, and most report little impact on academic performance or social dynamics. Other typical consequences include confiscating the phone for the remainder of the class or the entire day, contacting parents, assigning detention, or requiring a parent to retrieve the device.

DISTRICTS

Pasadena USD campus changes on the horizon

Pasadena USD is considering campus consolidations to address a budget deficit in the millions, exacerbated by COVID-related funding losses. While some trustees support the move, others express concerns about community impact. The district has already made cuts to teacher positions and services, highlighting the difficult decisions ahead as beloved campuses face closure. Public input is still welcomed as the district navigates these changes.

Remembering Sausalito Marin City principal

Ruby Sullivan Wilson, a revered teacher and principal in the Sausalito Marin City School District for 34 years, passed away on January 21 at the age of 87. Beginning her career as a kindergarten teacher in 1972, she became principal of Bayside Elementary School and Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in 2000. Known for her strong leadership and caring nature, longtime associate Shakona Bowie said, “I admired her stern yet loving approach.” Wilson was a mentor to many, encouraging students and staff alike.

CHARTERS

New charter school to open soon in Sonoma Valley

The Sonoma Valley USD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to establish MacArthur Park Charter School at the Prestwood Elementary site for the 2026-27 school year. Board President David Bell emphasized that the Prestwood campus was the only viable option due to necessary upgrades at the former Adele Harrison Middle School. The new charter school aims to serve around 186 students in grades K-5, with plans to expand to grades 6-8. Sarah Robertson, president of the charter's board, expressed excitement about the location, stating, "The location is ideal as we aspire to partner with the high school students." The school will focus on STEAM education and is working on a Makerspace for hands-on learning. Access to the campus is requested by July 1, 2026, to prepare for the opening.

WORKFORCE

Santa Rosa schools face major cuts

Santa Rosa City Schools is facing significant job cuts, with over 100 positions, primarily in student support and wellbeing, set to be eliminated. Kathryn Howell, president of the teachers' union, expressed concern about the increased burden on remaining teachers, stating, “It's just this avalanche that leads to a situation where teachers are questioning whether this is an actual job they can do.” The proposed cuts aim to save $14.2m, representing about 6% of the current budget, as the district seeks to address a $23m deficit to avoid state takeover. The cuts will impact vital support roles, including counselors and therapists, raising concerns about the wellbeing of students, particularly those needing extra academic and emotional support. The school board is expected to vote on these proposals on February 11.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Gun found at Aptos High School

Law enforcement confirmed that a firearm, ammunition, and a mask found at Aptos High School are linked to an assault involving juveniles that occurred on December 28, 2025. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office stated that these items were not part of a planned attack on the school but were discarded evidence from the earlier incident. Although firearms were present during the December assault, they were not discharged, and one juvenile was arrested shortly after.

STUDENTS

Students walk out against ICE

Hundreds of students across the Inland Empire, including about 200 from Riverside's Poly High School, staged walkouts to protest immigration enforcement and President Donald Trump's deportation policies. On January 29, students marched along Central and Victoria avenues, chanting “ICE out” and holding signs with messages like “Stop pretending your racism is patriotism.” Riverside USD spokesperson Andrew Shortall confirmed that students returned to class shortly after 11 a.m. Protests are set to continue, with a nationwide shutdown planned for January 30, urging activists to refrain from attending classes and work. An action guide from student organizations in Minneapolis emphasized the need to oppose ICE, stating: “Students are always at the heart of movements for justice across the world.”

ENROLLMENT

Space crunch at Browns Valley school

At Browns Valley TK-8 School in Napa, staff members have expressed concerns over inadequate facilities as enrollment surged from 464 students in 2021-22 to about 675 this year, a 45% increase. Principal Meshach Osborne said: “We request (the) facilities (department) to revisit the addition of space or portable classrooms.” The district's recommendation to convert existing spaces has faced criticism, with teacher Janeen Alexandre highlighting the “absence of investment by the district” in infrastructure. The district is focusing on safety upgrades under the 2024 school bond Measure B while remaining open to discussions about addressing the space issue. Brook Youdell, president of the Browns Valley Family Club, expressed hope for a solution that meets the needs of students and teachers.

HIGHER EDUCATION

UCLA's admissions under fire

The Trump administration is seeking to join a lawsuit against UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, alleging racial discrimination in its admissions process. The U.S. Department of Justice claims that UCLA employs a “systemically racist approach” that favors Black and Latino applicants over white and Asian American candidates. The lawsuit, initiated by the organization Do No Harm, argues that UCLA's “race-conscious” admissions violate federal law. The DOJ's motion to intervene highlights concerns that lowering academic standards for diversity could lead to “disastrous outcomes,” resulting in less qualified medical professionals. Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, founder of Do No Harm, stated that the organization is “fighting for all the students who have been racially discriminated against by UCLA under the guise of political progress.” The motion is set to be heard on February 27 in federal court.

INTERNATIONAL

India enrols more children into school than ever, but learning gaps persist

India’s Economic Survey 2025–26 highlights that school enrolment at the elementary level is now near-universal, with dropout rates continuing to fall and gender gaps narrowing across most stages. However, the report warns that learning outcomes have not improved at the same pace, with significant disparities persisting across states, income groups and school types. The survey also noted that post-pandemic learning losses remain unevenly reversed, worsened by the digital divide during school closures, while teacher shortages, high pupil-teacher ratios and uneven deployment continue to limit classroom quality. The central challenge ahead is shifting focus from access to education toward measurable learning gains, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy.
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