Become more informed in minutes....

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised state budget for 2026-27 has sparked mixed reactions among school leaders. While the proposal includes significant funding increases, such as a higher cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and additional support for special education, it also withholds $3.9bn in Proposition 98 funding that many believe should be allocated to schools immediately. "People were looking for base money in their pocket," said Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. The budget proposes a record $127.1bn for education, with per-student funding reaching $21,013. However, concerns remain about the reliance on one-time funds and the impact of withheld allocations on classroom resources. Advocates like Ted Lempert from Children Now expressed appreciation for the overall increase but noted, "kids are still way behind."

 

EdSource

Prepare Your Students for Their Future, Today

As the workforce and student needs evolve, how can schools ensure students are future-ready? Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strategic solution. Our comprehensive free guide provides school leaders with the tools needed to elevate CTE, from student interest surveys to employment landscape checklists.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
  
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
  
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
  
• And more!

Download The Free Guide

 

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education during a contentious House education committee hearing, arguing that the administration is returning authority over education to states, parents, and local leaders. McMahon said President Donald Trump was elected with a mandate to “sunset” the federal education bureaucracy, as Democrats accused the administration of weakening civil rights protections and destabilizing key education programs. Since 2024, the department’s workforce has fallen from roughly 4,200 employees to about 2,300, while more than 100 programs have been shifted to other federal agencies. Republicans largely praised the restructuring efforts, with some lawmakers openly supporting the department’s eventual elimination. However, questions intensified over the administration’s handling of student loans, special education oversight, and staffing cuts within the Office for Civil Rights. McMahon confirmed the administration is considering transferring oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to another agency, though no final decision has been made. Disability advocates have strongly opposed any move away from the Education Department. Lawmakers also pressed McMahon over deep cuts to the Office for Civil Rights, which lost roughly half its staff during previous layoffs. McMahon said the administration is rehiring attorneys and described civil rights enforcement as important, despite the administration simultaneously proposing a 35% funding reduction for the office. On student achievement, McMahon highlighted literacy gains in states such as Louisiana and Mississippi that adopted science-of-reading reforms, while backing the administration’s proposed “Make Education Great Again” block grants.

 

Education Week News

NPR

A planned overhaul of the federal E-rate program is drawing criticism from schools, libraries, and broadband advocates, who warn that a new centralized bidding portal could complicate procurement and create additional compliance burdens, particularly for small and rural districts. Beginning in July 2027, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will require E-rate competitive bidding activity to move to a centralized online portal managed by the Universal Service Administrative Company. Federal officials say the change will improve transparency, strengthen oversight, and help prevent fraud by giving regulators direct access to procurement records. The FCC said the new system addresses concerns raised in a 2020 Government Accountability Office report, which found that participants largely self-certified compliance with bidding rules under the current decentralized system. Under the revised process, vendors will submit bids through the portal, while schools and libraries will upload bid evaluations, contracts, and procurement documentation. The FCC argues the changes will modernize E-rate oversight and align it more closely with other federal procurement systems. Critics warn the new federal requirements could conflict with existing state and local procurement rules, increase legal and administrative complexity, and create additional training and compliance demands for applicants. Rural education leaders also fear the portal could discourage smaller vendors from participating, reducing competition and making it harder for underserved districts to secure broadband services. 

 

Government Technology

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, alongside Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty and Next Gen Personal Finance Co-Founder Tim Ranzetta, has announced California's progress in implementing Assembly Bill (AB) 2927. This law mandates that all public high schools in California offer a standalone personal finance course by the 2027-28 school year, with completion becoming a graduation requirement by 2030-31. “California is on track to deliver on the promise of personal finance education for every public high school student,” said Thurmond. The State Board of Education adopted the Personal Finance Curriculum Guide ahead of schedule, and over 300 educators have registered for a webinar to assist in course implementation. A recent poll indicated that 78% of California voters support this initiative, highlighting the growing momentum for personal finance education in the state.

 

Oakdale Leader

The recent Stanford study, "Getting Down to Facts," highlights significant shortcomings in California's Local Control Funding Formula, which aimed to enhance educational outcomes through local flexibility. Despite former Gov. Jerry Brown's vision of empowering local educators, the study reveals that "California has many accountability tools and data systems, but they are not well connected to one another." The report criticizes the state's accountability measures as convoluted and ineffective, leading to a lack of clarity for school districts on effective practices. Susanna Loeb, director of the study, emphasized that the fragmented governance structures have resulted in "disconnected, contradictory and burdensome guidance" for schools. The findings suggest that the current system has failed to translate information into actionable improvements, leaving California's education system at a critical juncture.

 

Mercury News

Nearly a dozen school districts in California have been recognized for their significant improvements in reading and math, according to the Education Scorecard report. These "Districts on the Rise" have shown large advancements compared to their peers, despite California's overall academic challenges. Tom Kane, faculty director at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, noted: “The pandemic was the mudslide that followed seven years of erosion in student achievement.” The report highlights that California ranks 19th in math and 29th in reading among states from 2022 to 2025. The recognized districts include Berkeley, Compton, and Ontario-Montclair, among others. Kane suggested that states could fund travel for struggling districts to learn from those that have improved significantly.

 

The Californian

During a recent EdSource roundtable, education leaders, including Maple School District Superintendent Bryan Easter, discussed the impact of screen time on students' learning and development. Many are concerned that excessive screen exposure may harm attention spans and social skills. Rishaan Marwaha, a student from Sage Hill School, said, "the dose is what makes the poison," emphasizing that technology isn't inherently bad but can be harmful when overused. Schools like Maple are implementing guidelines to limit screen time for younger students, while Los Angeles USD is developing a policy to cap screen time for early grades. Panelists, including parent Julie Edwards, stressed the importance of foundational skills before relying on technology. Chris Agnew from Stanford University noted that the conversation should extend beyond screen time to consider the evolving role of technology in education.

 

EdSource

At Pajaro Valley High School, 22 students are engaged in a unique aerospace engineering program where they are constructing a plane from the ground up. The Engineering Design: Flight, Aerospace, Systems, & Technology pathway, launched in the 2025-26 school year, allows students to learn about aviation physics and safety regulations while working hands-on at the Watsonville Municipal Airport. During an open house, students showcased their progress, demonstrating skills like deburring and identifying engineering mistakes. The program, supported by local partnerships and a grant from Tango Flight, aims to equip students with transferable skills for various careers. Superintendent Heather Contreras emphasized the importance of hands-on learning, saying, "Career technical education is really the future of education."

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

The Humboldt County Office of Education recently hosted its third annual Career Technical Education (CTE) “Student Recognition Ceremony,” honoring 18 exceptional high school seniors from seven local schools. Superintendent Michael Davies-Hughes emphasized the importance of CTE programs, stating: “These students are not just preparing for the future — they are already helping shape it.” The event showcased students' achievements in various industry sectors, with nominees presenting work samples and videos. Each honoree received a certificate and scholarship, highlighting their dedication and pride in their chosen pathways. 

 

Time-Standard

Maria Su, the superintendent of San Francisco USD, is set to testify before Congress on June 10 regarding parental rights and federal education law. The hearing, titled “Breaking Trust: Attacks on Parental Rights, Inappropriate Content, and Legal Abuses in America's Schools,” is organized by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) stated that the hearing will investigate compliance with federal civil rights and education laws, and whether legislative reforms are necessary. Su's testimony will likely defend the district's liberal policies, including LGBTQ-inclusive education and gender-neutral facilities. “Every day, my top priority is making sure that our students are learning,” Su said, emphasizing the importance of parental collaboration in education. The hearing could have long-term implications, especially given the Trump administration's threats to withhold funding from non-compliant districts.

 

San Francisco Chronicle

Fresno USD has finalized over 229 layoffs to address a projected $59m budget deficit. The cuts, affecting mental health, foster youth services, and chronic absenteeism interventions, come as the district grapples with declining enrollment and rising operational costs. Superintendent Misty Her said: "Every single decision we make is a hard decision," emphasizing the need to balance the budget. The district's reserves remain above the state-required minimum, but the layoffs have raised concerns about the impact on essential student services. Manuel Bonilla, president of the Fresno Teachers Association, highlighted the need to focus on educators and their roles in supporting students. As the district moves forward, it aims to maintain support services despite the reductions, though the restructuring may lead to staff burnout and reduced service capacity.

 

EdSource

EdSource

Don Austin, former superintendent of Palo Alto USD, has been appointed as the new superintendent of Laguna Beach USD, effective July 1. This decision follows the departure of Jason Glass, who left the district after less than a year due to a "mutual separation agreement." Meanwhile, Manoj Roychowdhury has been appointed as interim superintendent to ensure a smooth transition. The announcement has sparked protests from parents, students, and teachers who are concerned about the board's decision-making and its impact on the district's reputation.

 

The Orange Country Register

Pasadena USD's community advisory committee has voted against proposed school closures, marking a significant step in the ongoing battle to keep campuses open. "My hope is that the four trustees who rushed our community into this at the worst possible time will work diligently to avoid more damage," said Lisa Kroese, president of the PTA Council of PUSD. The committee's decision reflects concerns over declining enrollment and a $30m deficit, with members advocating for a visioning process rather than consolidation. Many expressed distrust in the process, citing a "breakdown in trust" and a need for more community input. The Board of Education will ultimately decide on any potential mergers, with a final vote scheduled for June 25, 2027-2028 school year.

 

SGV Tribune

Lowell High School in San Francisco is facing significant challenges in increasing Black student enrollment, with only 2.1% of its 2,589 students identifying as Black compared to 7% districtwide. Despite efforts to attract more Black students, including application assistance and mentorship programs, the school has seen a decline in Black freshmen, with only seven expected to enroll next fall. Bobby Pope, partnerships manager of the district's African American Achievement and Leadership Initiative, emphasized the importance of understanding students' individual needs, stating: “The numbers are one thing, but the story that goes with the numbers is really how you get a clear picture of what was happening.”  

 

San Francisco Chronicle

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is shutting down several outdoor education programs and facilities, citing tens of millions of dollars in required maintenance and repair costs, a move critics say will disproportionately affect low-income students. The board said it will close the Warren Park outdoor education center, end leases at the Forest Valley and Etobicoke sites, and discontinue programs at the Toronto Urban Studies Centre and Island Natural Science School. Two outdoor education centers, Mono Cliffs and Hillside, will remain open. Education advocates and local officials criticized the cuts, arguing that outdoor learning provides important hands-on experiences that many lower-income students would not otherwise have access to. Experts said wealthier families can often access similar opportunities through camps and travel, while many urban students rely on school programs for exposure to nature and environmental education. The cuts follow broader cost-saving measures by the TDSB, the largest school board in Canada, including layoffs of more than 200 administrative staff positions, as the board remains under provincial supervision amid wider governance reforms introduced by the Ontario government.

 

CBC News