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California
27th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Women and minority representation rise in California school leadership

A UCLA study shows that California’s school leadership became more diverse and increasingly female between 2019–20 and 2023–24, with the number of administrators rising nearly 9% to 28,780 and women accounting for 66.8% of roles. Representation of Latino, Black, and Asian administrators has also increased, although white administrators still make up a majority at 53.3%, and overall experience levels have declined slightly. However, significant gaps remain due to limited data granularity, as current state figures do not reveal whether women and minorities are advancing into senior district leadership roles or remain concentrated in school-level positions. The report highlights the need for better data systems, clearer diversity targets, and stronger leadership pipelines, particularly as rising superintendent turnover, budget pressures, and post-pandemic funding changes create instability and make recruitment and retention of experienced leaders more challenging.

MCGRAW HILL - MATH EQUITY

Advance Equitable Math Learning in California

Meaningful mathematical discourse is essential to California’s vision for equitable, student‑centered learning. When classrooms prioritize communication, collaboration, and reasoning, students deepen their understanding and strengthen their math identities. In this whitepaper by Cheryl Tobey, M.Ed., you’ll explore practical strategies for planning and facilitating discourse that centers student thinking, supports language development, and encourages the construction of mathematical arguments.

These approaches align with California’s commitment to access, inclusivity, and supporting diverse learners across the state. Discover how intentional discourse can create dynamic learning environments where curiosity thrives and every student has the opportunity to engage meaningfully with mathematics.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Department of Education to vacate HQ as overhaul accelerates

The U.S. Department of Education has announced it will leave its Washington, D.C., headquarters by August and transfer the building to the Department of Energy, in a move that underscores the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce and potentially dismantle the agency. The decision to move out of the Lyndon B. Johnson Building follows significant staff cuts, the reassignment of major programs, including student loan management and education grants, to other federal departments, and broader attempts to shrink the federal education footprint, with officials citing cost savings of about $4.8m annually and more efficient use of space. While supporters argue the move to 500 D Street SW,, around a block away, changes reduce bureaucracy and improve government efficiency, critics warn the restructuring could create confusion, weaken oversight, and negatively impact services for students, particularly as the administration continues to pursue its goal of shifting education responsibilities away from the federal level.

ABSENTEEISM

Early outreach boosts attendance

School districts using early, frequent, and positive family outreach saw chronic absenteeism fall from 22.4% to about 19% across the first 90 days over three school years, a 3.46-point drop equal to 27,000 fewer chronically absent students. The strongest gains came in pre-K, kindergarten, and among low-income students. Kara Stern, director of education for SchoolStatus, said: “We’re seeing that we can tell by a certain point in the school year—early in the school year—who’s going to be chronically absent,” underscoring the value of acting before attendance problems become entrenched.

FINANCE

LAUSD liability costs draw alarm

Andreas Farmakalidis argues that Los Angeles USD’s borrowing to cover sexual abuse claim payouts reflects a broader policy failure in California, where expanded legal liability has not been matched with funding or protections for school districts. He says survivors deserve justice, but warns that rising settlement and financing costs could divert money from classrooms, staffing, safety and student support.

Upland weighs broad budget cuts

Upland USD is planning to cut more than $4m from its 2026-27 budget as it faces declining enrollment and rising operating costs. The school board has approved possible cost-saving steps worth more than $2m so far, including staffing adjustments, reduced administrative spending, contract reviews, and possible changes to enrichment programs. District leaders said no final decisions have been made and negotiations are still underway. Superintendent Lynn Day said the district must adapt because state cost-of-living increases “do not keep pace with rising expenses.”

Bill seeks Diablo funding restore

A new California bill, SB 931, would continue mitigation payments to San Luis Obispo County schools and public agencies while Diablo Canyon remains open through 2030. Supporters say the measure would restore funding lost when PG&E payments from a 2016 settlement expired in 2025, leaving local governments and school districts under financial strain. Sen. John Laird said: “When the state extended the plant's operations, it's only fair that we also extend the funding commitments made to support those communities.”

DISTRICTS

Parents challenge TIDE closure

A parent group, TIDE Rising, has filed a Brown Act complaint alleging the district improperly handled discussions about closing the TIDE magnet school by directing board members to communicate privately with the superintendent. The complaint also claims that Sequoia USD had already developed closure plans before publicly launching community engagement, suggesting the process was predetermined. The district has not commented, and the filing adds to ongoing legal battles tied to the school’s closure. The complaint alleges that “every step” of the public engagement process had been planned in advance.

Pasadena weighs school closures

Pasadena USD will hold a virtual town hall on March 31 as part of its ongoing review of possible school consolidations and closures. The district’s advisory committee, supported by Total School Solutions, is continuing a multi-month process to narrow the list of campuses under consideration, after already removing nine schools earlier this month. The effort now enters a more public phase as community feedback and survey results shape next steps in a decision that could significantly reshape the district.

San Jose approves closures

San Jose USD will close five elementary schools and relocate its Hammer Montessori magnet program after the board approved a contentious consolidation plan in response to steep enrollment declines. Supporters said the move will concentrate resources and improve student access to services, while opponents warned of harm to vulnerable families, unsafe routes and inequitable impacts.

University prep earns top honors

University Preparatory School in Victorville has been recognized as one of the 2026 California Distinguished Schools, a prestigious honor awarded to only 20 schools in San Bernardino County. This recognition, announced by California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, highlights schools that excel in student achievement and create supportive learning environments. San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre said, “Being named a California Distinguished School is a meaningful recognition of the work taking place in classrooms across our county.” The award ceremony will take place on April 24 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, where the distinguished schools will be honored alongside National Blue Ribbon and Green Ribbon Schools.

TECHNOLOGY

Students need deepfake protections

Emma Le and Stephanie Choi of the Center for Gender Equitable AI warn that AI-generated explicit deepfakes are a growing crisis in schools and that federal action has not yet translated into meaningful on-campus protections. They say many students still do not know their rights, while educators often lack training and resources to respond. Highlighting both policy gaps and local organizing, the authors call for schools to adopt clearer language, stronger awareness efforts, and practical support systems. They write that “Explicit deepfakes demand the same” visibility and protection already given to other forms of harassment. 

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Legal gray areas emerge over sharing of school camera data with federal agencies

The widespread use of surveillance cameras in schools is raising new concerns about how footage is accessed, shared, and governed, particularly regarding potential use by federal agencies. While systems are primarily intended for safety, behavior monitoring, and operational oversight, advances in technology have expanded their capabilities and increased the risk of secondary uses beyond their original purpose. Under federal law, including FERPA, much routine surveillance footage is not considered protected unless tied to a specific incident, giving school districts broad discretion over whether to share it with law enforcement. In practice, access is typically tightly controlled and requires legal processes such as subpoenas or judicial warrants, but policies vary widely by district, creating an inconsistent and complex landscape. Experts warn that governance often lags behind technology, with risks stemming from unclear policies, vendor control over data, and the potential for misuse. As a result, districts are being urged to strengthen oversight, clarify access rules, and ensure privacy protections, while balancing security needs with maintaining trust and a positive school environment.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Federal investigation targets diversity practices at top U.S. medical schools

The Trump administration has launched investigations into admissions policies at several major medical schools, including Ohio State University, UC San Diego, and Stanford, focusing on potential race discrimination following the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action. The Justice Department is seeking extensive data on applicants over the past seven years, as well as internal communications related to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The probes form part of a broader crackdown on universities, including threats to withhold federal funding, and have drawn criticism from education advocates concerned about academic freedom, privacy, and government overreach, while the institutions involved say they are reviewing the requests and remain compliant with anti-discrimination laws.

INTERNATIONAL

Lawsuit claims AI chatbot failed to flag warning signs before British Columbia attack

The family of a 12-year-old student critically injured in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT provided the suspected gunman with information about violent crimes, weapons, and tactics, failed to prevent account misuse by a minor, and did not escalate warning signs despite the user being flagged internally before the attack. The case centers on whether the platform should have identified credible threats and alerted authorities, while OpenAI has stated that updated safeguards introduced after the 2025 incident would now require law enforcement notification in similar circumstances, and that it is working with experts and officials to strengthen prevention measures.
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