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A new national survey of educators by the EdWeek Research Center found that heightened federal immigration enforcement during the 2025-26 school year contributed to increased anxiety, fear, and absenteeism among immigrant students, particularly in large urban districts. Among educators working with immigrant populations, 57% reported students expressing fear and anxiety, up from 50% in the fall, while reports of reduced attendance rose to 39% from 24%. The proportion of educators reporting no impact from immigration enforcement fell to 23%. Schools have increasingly responded by expanding counseling and mental health services, with 36% of educators reporting additional support for affected students, compared with 26% in the fall. Educators described disruptions to learning, attendance challenges, and concerns about academic performance as immigration enforcement activities occurred in surrounding communities. Survey results also showed that nearly three-quarters of schools serving immigrant students now have formal or informal protocols in place for responding to requests from federal immigration authorities.

 

Education Week News

Title IX & State-by-State Sexual Harassment Compliance Requirements

Preparing for the upcoming school year? Vector Solutions’ state-by-state guide helps districts better understand Title IX, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment training requirements. Use it to review reporting and prevention mandates, align role-specific training, and simplify compliance tracking before the school year begins.

Download Guide

 

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched a comprehensive review of its E-Rate program, a roughly $3bn annual subsidy scheme that has funded internet connectivity for schools and libraries for nearly 30 years. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said a proposal outlining potential changes will be released this week, with an initial commission vote scheduled for June 25. The review comes amid growing concerns about excessive screen time among children. Carr noted that several states and school districts are already limiting device usage, particularly for younger students, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently issued the first Surgeon General's warning on the potential harms of excessive screen use. The FCC is seeking public feedback on both the legal and policy implications of children's access to subsidized internet services, including how parents, guardians, and teachers should be involved in related decisions. A senior FCC official said the review will examine whether the program has fulfilled its original mission and whether ongoing funding remains consistent with congressional objectives. The E-Rate program is funded through fees collected from telecommunications companies and passed on to consumers via the Universal Service Fee on phone bills. The review follows the FCC's September decision to end subsidies for Wi-Fi on school buses, after the agency allocated $48m to support onboard internet access in 2024.

 

Reuters

Sonja Shaw, the Trump-aligned conservative and president of the Chino Valley USD school board, has emerged as the leading candidate in the primary for California's superintendent of public instruction. With over 80% of precincts reporting, Shaw is ahead of Democrat Richard Barrera, who leads the San Diego Unified school board. Shaw's campaign has gained momentum through her stances on issues like parental notification regarding gender identity and challenges to library book content. “I am humbled and grateful that Californians from every corner of our state have rallied behind this campaign,” Shaw said. Despite her lead, she faces a challenging runoff against Barrera, who has received significant support from the California Teachers Association.

 

East Bay

Los Angeles Times

San Mateo Daily Journal

The race for the next San Mateo County superintendent of schools is extremely close, with Chelsea Bonini leading with 50.4% of the vote, totaling 28,633 votes, while Héctor Camacho trails at 49.6% with 28,179 votes. Both candidates bring unique experiences to the table; Camacho, the executive director of Equity, Social Justice and Inclusion, aims to enhance support for districts, stating: “There's a very big difference between a board member and an actual practitioner.” Bonini, a trustee on the San Mateo County Board of Education, seeks to improve transparency and mend the relationship between the Board and the Office of Education, saying, “If we're not transparent about what we're doing, they can't be involved.” The election results will continue to be updated, with certification expected on July 2.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

Cali Binks, the current superintendent of Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint USD, is leading the race for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools position in the election held on June 2. As of early results on June 3, Binks secured 37.40% of the votes, followed by Alejandro “Alex” Vara with 29.84%, Ken Larson at 16.52%, and Ray Anthony Culberson with 16.11%. The superintendent plays a crucial role as a liaison between the state Department of Education and the 33 school districts in San Bernardino County, overseeing the operations of the county's education office. The final election results are expected to be posted by June 4 at 4 p.m.

 

Redlands Daily Facts

Early election results indicate that the Napa County Board of Supervisors will remain unchanged in 2027, with Joelle Gallagher and Anne Cottrell facing no opposition in their bids for re-election. Joshua Schultz, who was appointed Napa County Office of Education superintendent in 2025, is also set to win his election without opposition. All three candidates received 100% of the votes counted in the early results. Gallagher and Cottrell have served since 2023 and will begin their second terms, while Schultz's election marks his first after years in leadership roles within the county office.

 

Press Democrat

Implementing AI in schools poses challenges, as many educators and students lack clear policies. According to the RAND report, only about one in three students report their school has a school-wide AI policy, with 67% believing that increased AI use harms critical thinking skills. The report emphasizes the need for "direct conversations" about AI use in educational settings. Teachers are encouraged to engage students in discussions about the value of their work, integrity, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI. As the article states, "AI is a powerful tool," and its implementation should align with school values, requiring thoughtful dialogue among educators and students to navigate its complexities.

 

EdSurge

Research indicates that having Black teachers and educators of color significantly enhances students' classroom experiences. They serve as role models, set high academic expectations, and connect learning to students' lives outside of school. Despite these benefits, the teacher workforce remains predominantly white, with about 80% of teachers being white compared to less than 50% of students. David Blazar from the University of Maryland highlights that "closing this gap will take decades, not a single grant cycle." Programs like the Teacher Academy of Maryland aim to recruit local students into teaching roles, but they often fail to address the historical inequalities that contribute to the diversity gap. The findings suggest that targeted efforts are necessary to diversify the teaching profession effectively.

 

The Modesto Bee

San Luis Obispo County is enhancing student mental health support with a new grant program, allocating $300,000 to high schools for improved on-campus wellness services. The Pathways to Student Wellness initiative will distribute $37,500 to eight high schools, funded by California’s Behavioral Health Student Services Act (BHSSA). These wellness centers will monitor student outcomes biannually to address access gaps and mental health trends. Awardees include Arroyo Grande High School, Atascadero High School, and others. This initiative follows California’s $4.9bn expansion of school-based mental health support through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, aiming to enhance the wellbeing of students and families in the county, as noted by Frank Warren, interim county behavioral health director.

 

EdSource

The Redwood City School District's parcel tax, Measure C, received only 57.5% approval from voters, falling short of the 66% needed to pass, according to the San Mateo County Elections Office. The measure garnered 4,262 votes in favor and 3,150 against. If approved, it would have generated $12.2m annually by imposing a 17.5 cent tax per building square foot for eight years, equating to a $175 tax for a 1,000-sq-ft property, with exemptions for seniors. Despite a 2024 poll indicating 60% support, the measure did not pass. Revenue from the tax would have funded various school programs, primarily for teachers, but could not be used for administrative salaries or pensions. The district also benefits from Measure U, which brings in $1.9m annually until 2030.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

High schools in Hesperia have collectively secured nearly $6m in scholarships and awards for the Class of 2026. Oak Hills High School led with $2.2m, while Hesperia High School followed closely with $2.1m, including a full scholarship to Princeton University for one student. “We are so proud of the accomplishments of the HUSD Class of 2026," said Michelle Smith, Hesperia USD Superintendent. Students are pursuing various paths, including Ivy League universities, trade schools, and military enlistment. Sultana High School awarded $1.2m in university scholarships, while Mojave High School focused on hands-on career pathways. Shadow Ridge High School celebrated a 90% award rate among seniors, showcasing the community's support for student success.

 

Daily Press

Starting in the 2027-28 school year, 12th graders in San Mateo UHSD will have the option to take a personal finance course, which will become a graduation requirement for the class of 2031. The course aims to enhance students' understanding of microeconomics and its application to personal finance. The curriculum will cover essential topics such as banking, credit, taxes, and budgeting. While some educators initially feared the course might replace economics, the task force reassured them that key economic concepts will still be integrated. The district plans to refine the curriculum over the next three years, with full implementation expected by fall 2030.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

The inclusion of protest photos in the Paso Robles High School yearbook has sparked significant controversy among parents and community members. Student Lyric Johnson discovered her image from an anti-ICE protest, which featured profanity, shared widely on social media. Tamara Marks Hodel, a concerned parent, criticized the yearbook for including such language, stating, “Super classy to put this in the yearbook!” The school district is now reviewing the situation, emphasizing that while student expression is important, the use of profanity in a school publication is a serious concern. Student journalist Jesus Ursulo defended the yearbook's content, asserting: “That's what happened,” and highlighting the importance of documenting significant events.

 

The Modesto Bee

San Luis Obispo Tribune

El Segundo USD has settled a lawsuit with a plaintiff identified as John Doe 7091, who alleged he was sexually abused by a teacher during middle school over two decades ago. The case was resolved during a mandatory settlement conference with Judge Gary Tanaka, although the terms remain undisclosed. The district's attorneys argued that Doe 7091's claims were misleading, citing contradictions from his family and classmates. Doe 7091 contended that the district was responsible for supervising its employees and ensuring the safety of students. He alleged that the teacher engaged in inappropriate behavior, including sexual abuse, and manipulated him into silence.

 

Daily Breeze

Ontario’s five major education unions have formally served notice to bargain with the provincial government, beginning negotiations for new contracts covering teachers and education workers in public, Catholic, and French-language schools before existing agreements expire in August. Union leaders say their priorities include reducing class sizes, particularly in kindergarten and Grades 4 to 8, increasing staffing levels, boosting special education funding, and securing wage increases. They argue that schools are facing mounting challenges, including staff shortages, larger and more complex classrooms, rising student mental health needs, and increased incidents of violence. Education Minister Paul Calandra has acknowledged that negotiations are likely to be difficult but said he remains optimistic about reaching agreements through collaboration rather than labor disruptions.

 

CBC News