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California is considering Senate Bill 1067, which mandates screening for basic math skills among kindergartners and early elementary students. "A student's early math skills are the most powerful predictor of their later success in school," said Amy Cooper, a senior advisor at EdVoice, a cosponsor of the bill. The initiative aims to address the state's poor math performance, where only 37% of students met grade-level standards last year. Critics, including the California Teachers Association, argue that the screening is unnecessary and could stigmatize students. They emphasize the need for comprehensive support rather than additional testing. The bill has passed the Senate education committee and aims to provide targeted support for struggling students.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

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U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has told lawmakers on the Senate Appropriations Committee that the administration is still considering relocating key special education programs to other federal agencies, including the Departments of Labor or Health and Human Services, as part of a broader restructuring tied to its fiscal 2027 budget proposal. The administration is also evaluating potential changes to other programs, such as Impact Aid, while defending plans to shift more than 100 education programs across federal agencies, a move critics say could be disruptive. During the hearing, lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about proposed changes to the $1.2bn TRIO program, which supports low-income students, particularly its new focus on workforce pathways and its partial transfer to the Department of Labor. McMahon defended the shift, arguing it reflects labor market needs, while also facing scrutiny over reduced civil rights enforcement capacity despite claims of increased focus. The hearing highlighted broader tensions over the administration’s education strategy, including funding cuts, program consolidation, and questions about legal authority and oversight. While McMahon emphasized improving alignment between education and workforce outcomes, lawmakers questioned accountability measures and the impact of ongoing restructuring.

 

Education Week News

NPR

New York Times

The 74

California schools are increasingly reliant on screens for instruction and communication, raising concerns about their impact on students' focus, learning, and mental health. Supporters argue that digital tools can personalize learning and enhance access, while critics warn of distractions and diminishing educational returns. Many schools are striving for a balanced approach, questioning what truly enhances learning versus what merely appears effective.

 

EdSource

Negotiations to resolve a nine-day teachers strike in Little Lake City School District were suspended yesterday after talks ended without a settlement. Interim Superintendent Monica Martinez-Johnson stated: “We understand emotions are high, and we respect the passion of our community,” emphasizing the need for safety during negotiations. Teachers expressed frustration, with union representative Crystal Sampson saying: “For the district to wait us out is very disheartening.” The strike, which has become one of California's longest since 1996, centers on issues like health benefits, class sizes, and special education support. The district's spending during the strike has raised concerns, with daily costs for substitutes and security totaling $54,000 and $23,000, respectively. A school board meeting is scheduled for later tonight to discuss contracts and purchases.

 

Press-Telegram

Los Angeles USD is prioritizing teacher-led, high-dosage tutoring to fulfill a settlement requiring 10m hours of tutoring for 100,000 students over three years. The case, Shaw et al. v. LAUSD et al, highlighted disparities in virtual learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly affecting Black and Latino students. Under the settlement, LAUSD aims to provide 45 hours of tutoring annually in small groups. The district plans to utilize its teachers first, with outside contractors as a backup, and is set to allocate $74m in ELO-P funds for tutoring in fiscal year 2027. “We know that teachers know their students best,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez, emphasizing the importance of the teacher-led model.

 

EdSource

Manteca USD boasts an impressive graduation rate of 92.7%, surpassing both the San Joaquin County average of 90.9% and the statewide average of 91.5%. This achievement is attributed to focused monitoring of student progress and remedial programs offered before, after, and during school hours. Clara Schmiedt, Manteca Unified’s Director of Secondary Education, emphasized the importance of their summer program, stating: "If they complete the necessary work this summer, they will earn a high school diploma." This initiative aims to help 10 students earn their diplomas this year, highlighting the district's commitment to ensuring every student is prepared for life after high school. Manteca Unified also maintains equitable opportunities across its five high schools, with graduation rates ranging from 92.4% to 94.5%.

 

Manteca Bulletin

Palo Alto schools are facing a significant challenge as the Committee to Protect Palo Alto Schools has not raised any funds ahead of the June 2 election, contrasting sharply with the $68,000 raised during the last renewal campaign in 2020. Todd Collins, a former board member, expressed concern, commenting: “It seems like the community is souring on the parcel tax.” With the district holding $100m in reserves and a 20% decline in enrollment, many residents question the necessity of an additional $50m in taxes. While the school board has reduced the proposed tax from $941 to $800 per parcel, they warn that failure to pass it could lead to teacher layoffs and larger class sizes. Sarah Cornwell, a leader of the “yes” campaign, mentioned that support from parents and teachers remains strong, with plans for lawn signs to be deployed soon. 

 

Palo Alto Daily Post

Stanislaus County is prioritizing the expansion of childcare services to help parents return to work, adding 816 provider slots through the Stanislaus 2030 initiative and Nurture. However, the introduction of universal transitional kindergarten (TK) for all four-year-olds is leading to a decline in enrollment at childcare centers. Many providers are struggling to compete with free TK options, leading to business closures and a loss of clients. The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) is aware of the situation and has made 894 referrals to family childcare providers, but concerns remain about the sustainability of these businesses amidst rising costs and competition from TK.

 

The Modesto Bee

U.S. school districts have been granted an additional year to comply with new federal web accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, delaying the deadline for larger districts to 2027 and for smaller ones to 2028. The rules require school websites, apps, and digital content to meet international accessibility standards, including compatibility with assistive technologies, captions for multimedia, and readable formatting for users with disabilities. Districts had pushed for more time, citing high costs, limited staffing, and challenges with third-party vendors, with surveys showing most are not close to full compliance. However, disability rights advocates warn the delay prolongs barriers for students and families, particularly those with visual or hearing impairments, who rely on accessible digital tools for education and public services.

 

Education Week News

Sacramento City USD is aiming to electrify 80% of its bus fleet within five years, a move that promises to save money and reduce emissions. Chamberlain Segrest, the district's sustainability manager, stated: “If you were to look at it now, we're doing great on savings because SMUD electricity is actually pretty cheap.” The district recently added seven new electric buses, which have already saved 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel this year. The initiative is part of a broader goal to achieve carbon neutrality in energy use by 2045.

 

The Sacramento Bee

At Napa Valley College, two candidates, Gayle Pitman and María L. Villagómez, presented their visions for the role of superintendent-president during a community meeting. This follows the resignation of Torence Powell, who is moving to the Los Rios Community College District. Pitman, vice president at Hartnell College, emphasized the importance of competitive compensation for faculty, stating: “We’ve developed a process that I think has worked quite well.” Villagómez, assistant superintendent at Santa Barbara City College, highlighted the need for transparency in labor negotiations, saying: "As long as we demonstrate to each other that we can trust each other, I think a lot can be done in those partnerships.” Both candidates also discussed the significance of equity and diversity, with Villagómez advocating for “less talk and more action” on these issues.

 

Napa Valley Register

Afghanistan could lose more than 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 if restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment remain in place, according to a UNICEF report, which warns that bans limiting girls’ schooling and excluding women from most public sector jobs are already reducing the pipeline of qualified professionals. The report estimates that up to 20,000 teachers and 5,400 health workers could be lost by 2030, with broader economic impacts of around $84m annually, while at least 1m girls are currently affected by education restrictions, a figure expected to double without policy changes.

 

Reuters