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A new report from the Learning Policy Institute argues that effective school principals are one of the most important, yet often overlooked, factors in addressing many of education’s most pressing challenges, including teacher retention, student achievement, chronic absenteeism, and school culture. The Principal Effect: How Investing in School Leaders Is Key to Solving Education's Challenges, synthesizes research showing that strong principals improve academic outcomes by fostering teacher collaboration, providing instructional coaching, involving educators in goal-setting, and creating positive working environments. These conditions help retain teachers, improve school stability, and support stronger student performance. Linda Darling-Hammond, the report’s lead author and chief knowledge officer at the Learning Policy Institute, said policymakers have historically underinvested in leadership development despite evidence of its impact. The report highlights examples of more comprehensive principal development programs in places such as Delaware and Chicago, where aspiring school leaders receive structured training, mentoring, and year-long internships under experienced principals.

 

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

 

House Republicans have unveiled a fiscal 2027 education spending proposal that would significantly reduce federal education funding, revive several previously rejected budget cuts, and impose new restrictions on schools that support transgender students. The proposal would cut Title I funding for low-income students by $1.6bn, or 9%, reduce annual investment from $18.4bn to $16.8bn, eliminate billions of dollars in funding for teacher professional development and English learner services, and end several competitive grant programs, including those supporting community schools and teacher training initiatives. At the same time, the bill would provide modest funding increases for special education, Impact Aid, Native American education programs, and Head Start. Funding for after-school programs, rural education, homeless student services, and charter school grants would largely be maintained, with charter schools receiving an additional $60m. The legislation would also allow the federal government to withhold education funding from K-12 schools and colleges that permit transgender girls to participate in girls’ sports or that withhold information about a student’s gender identity from parents. Education policy experts have warned that such provisions could trigger legal conflicts with state laws and existing federal civil rights protections. The proposal aligns with several elements of President Donald Trump’s education budget, including eliminating Title II-A and Title III-A programs, which together provide roughly $3bn annually for teacher development and English learner services. However, House lawmakers are proposing even deeper cuts to Title I funding than those included in the president’s budget request. The proposal now moves to the committee process, with months of negotiations expected before Congress reaches a final spending agreement. 

 

Education Week News

Most Americans support providing free public education to children regardless of their immigration status, according to a new nationally representative survey of more than 1,500 adults conducted in April 2026. The poll found that 75.5% of respondents agreed that all children should have the right to public education, despite growing efforts in some states and among conservative groups to challenge the longstanding legal precedent established by the Supreme Court's 1982 Plyler v. Doe ruling. Support varied significantly by political affiliation, with 93.9% of Democrats and 57.5% of Republicans backing universal access to public education, while 95.7% of 2024 Kamala Harris voters and 48.8% of Donald Trump voters supported the policy. However, backing remained above 70% across most demographic groups, income levels, educational backgrounds, and age brackets. The survey also found particularly strong support among Hispanic and Latino respondents (86.9%), African Americans (86.7%), Asian Americans (77.7%), and non-Hispanic white respondents (69.9%). Support exceeded 70% in every income category, and younger adults aged 18-29 were the most supportive at 81.4%, compared with 71.5% among those over 60. Across religious groups, majorities favored allowing undocumented children to attend public schools free of charge, including Muslims (92.9%), religiously unaffiliated respondents (82.2%), Jewish respondents (81.1%), Catholics (79.5%), and mainline Protestants (72.6%). Evangelical Protestants were the least supportive group, though a majority (59.9%) still backed the policy.

 

Washington Post

School districts across the United States are introducing stricter rules for student e-bike use as the growing popularity of the vehicles has been accompanied by rising numbers of crashes, injuries, and traffic concerns. Districts are increasingly grappling with how to safely manage e-bikes, which can travel at speeds of up to 28 mph and are often subject to limited regulation. Safety concerns are being reinforced by new research showing a sharp increase in pediatric e-bike injuries. A California emergency department treated 201 children for e-bike-related injuries in 2025, compared with just one case in 2021, with e-bike accidents becoming the leading cause of trauma-related emergency room visits at one children's hospital.

 

GovTech

An 18-year-old was killed and three others, including an 11-year-old, were injured in a shooting that occurred after a graduation ceremony at Fairfield High School in Solano County. The incident took place around 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, following a Sem Yeto Continuation High School graduation. Police reported that the wounded individuals, aged 11, 20, and 25, were receiving treatment at local hospitals. No arrests had been made as of Thursday morning. Officer Michelle Belyea of the Fairfield Police expressed concern over the incident, stating: “Obviously it’s a very scary incident when something like this does happen, especially during the time of a school event.” The status of other scheduled graduations in Fairfield remains uncertain.

 

EdSource

Visalia Times-Delta

Hector Camacho Jr. has taken the lead in the San Mateo County Board of Education superintendent race, with his vote share rising from 49.52% to 50.57% after the counting of 8,911 additional ballots. The updated totals show Camacho with 37,233 votes and Chelsea Bonini with 36,395 votes. Initially, Bonini appeared poised for victory, but the new results have cast doubt on the outcome. If Bonini wins, questions about her qualifications may arise, as she lacks the full credentials required by state law for the position. Camacho, currently an executive director in the county Board of Education office, meets the necessary qualifications. The superintendent oversees 291 employees and manages a budget of approximately $115m, with a salary of $362,911, according to pay records.

 

Palo Alto Daily Post

The recent Los Angeles USD elections have seen incumbents Rocio Rivas, Kelly Gonez, and Nick Melvoin poised for reelection, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Political Science Professor Fernando Guerra from Loyola Marymount University described the elections as “the sleepiest in a decade,” attributing the lack of competition to declining political forces. Rivas, backed by the teachers' union, represents a largely Eastside district, while Melvoin, supported by a charter school-friendly businessman, focuses on the Westside. Gonez ran unopposed in the east San Fernando Valley. The results suggest the board will continue to oppose charter schools and maintain a unified stance on policies, including support for immigrants and the status of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who remains on administrative leave.

 

EdSource

Huntington Beach UHSD has announced that Casey Harelson will be the new principal of Fountain Valley High, succeeding the retiring Paul Lopez. Harelson, currently the assistant principal of guidance, is awaiting approval from the HBUHSD board. Harelson, a graduate of Marina High, holds a bachelor's degree in linguistics from UC Berkeley and a master's in education from UC Irvine. 

 

Los Angeles Times

Monica Thomas has been appointed as the new superintendent of Santa Rosa City Schools, succeeding Lisa August Hulme, who served as interim since April 2025. With over 20 years of experience in Oakland USD, Thomas has held various roles, including deputy chief of continuous improvement. "I am honored to serve the Santa Rosa City Schools community," Thomas said, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in education.

 

Press Democrat

San Francisco USD is launching a new program to support elementary and high school students with autism and intellectual disabilities. Set to open in the Edwin and Anita Lee Building, the program will provide academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support for students in grades five through twelve with Individualized Education Programs. Superintendent Maria Su said the initiative aims to "help us better serve students with extensive support needs here in San Francisco." The program will initially feature two classrooms for eight students each, with plans to expand to four classrooms by the 2027-28 academic year. This development is part of SFUSD's effort to reduce reliance on non-public schools and ensure that students receive necessary services closer to home. Vanita Louie from the Chinatown Rotary Club emphasized that the program will "provide a lifeline for students and families" seeking quality education.

 

San Francisco Examiner

Glendale USD and Glendale Teachers Association (GTA) have reached a tentative agreement for the 2026-27 school year, featuring a 2% ongoing wage increase starting July 1, 2026, and a 1% one-time payment in November 2026. This marks the second consecutive year that negotiations have concluded before the school year begins. The agreement also includes updates on employee support, instructional practices, and workplace safety. Notably, it addresses the use of artificial intelligence in schools, ensuring that AI cannot replace educator roles without consent. "The District’s commitment to promptly investigate and address reported unsafe conditions" is also reaffirmed, alongside enhanced protections for employees affected by immigration issues. The GTA membership will vote on ratifying the agreement, followed by a vote from the GUSD Board of Education for final approval.

 

Cresenta Valley Weekly

Principal Nicole Killian of Pajaro Middle School is facing serious allegations of failed leadership and misconduct, after the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Local 1936's recent vote of no confidence against her. The union claims that Killian has ignored safety threats and fostered a hostile work environment, claiming: "Nicole Killian has not only ignored this foundation, but dismantled it." Concerns have been raised about her handling of threats, including a student’s message that included "change my grade or I'll shoot you." The union also criticized Killian for not completing investigations into threats and for poor communication with staff. Brandon Diniz, president of the union, stressed the importance of accountability, saying: "We feel compelled to hold them accountable because we feel it's the best interest of our students and staff." The district is reportedly in discussions to address these complaints.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

The Santa Monica-Malibu USD Board of Education reviewed the 2025-2026 Third Budget Revision on May 19, implementing a more rigorous, data-driven financial forecasting method. Gerardo Cruz, SMMUSD assistant superintendent of business services, said: "This year, we are taking a more rigorous, data-driven approach to our year-end projections." The revision indicates a projected total general fund revenue of approximately $153.2m, with a variance of $72,151 from the previous budget. Total unrestricted general fund expenditures decreased to $160.1m, while restricted expenditures increased to $79.7m. Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton clarified that these adjustments do not equate to budget cuts but rather a more accurate accounting of expenses. 

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

Palo Alto USD must learn from its recent parcel tax defeat, according to former school board member Mandy Lowell. "People here want to support education. So if they know that money is going to affect students and teachers in the classroom, they will support it," she said. The failed $800 tax, which aimed to raise $14.6m annually, faced significant opposition from former board members who argued the district is financially stable. Lowell emphasized the importance of a proactive campaign, suggesting that the "yes" campaign could enhance its outreach through more lawn signs, community meetings, and reminders. She noted that not all expenses decrease with declining enrollment, as schools still require essential programs.

 

Palo Alto Daily Post

Manteca USD prepares for the return of 25,000 students on August 6, a significant amount of maintenance work is underway. With 180 custodians and 60 maintenance workers tackling projects across 29 campuses, the district is focused on maintaining its 2.6m square feet of facilities, which have a replacement cost exceeding $1bn. Key projects include roofing replacements at Joshua Cowell School and Lathrop High gym, as well as flooring replacements at Stella Brockman and George Komure Schools. Grounds maintenance involves tree care and irrigation improvements, while custodial efforts include deep cleaning and minor repairs.

 

Manteca Bulletin

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the PA Education Association have sued the U.S. Department of Education over new federal student loan limits that they argue unfairly restrict borrowing for physician assistant students and could worsen healthcare workforce shortages. Under a rule set to take effect on July 1, graduate students will be limited to $100,000 in federal loans and professional students to $200,000. While medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, and several other healthcare programs qualify as professional degrees and receive the higher borrowing limits, physician assistant programs do not, leaving their students subject to the lower cap. The advocacy groups argue that many physician assistant programs cost more than $200,000 when tuition, housing, fees, and supplies are included, and contend that the Education Department has unlawfully added criteria to determine which programs qualify as professional degrees. They are seeking a preliminary injunction to block implementation of the rule.

 

The Hill

A new pilot program called Connecting Futures is helping young people involved in the child welfare system reconnect with education, graduate from high school, and pursue post-secondary opportunities through tailored academic and social support. The two-year initiative, backed by a C$7.5m ($5.4m) investment from the Northpine Foundation and delivered in partnership with the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, operates across eight ventures in Ontario and Manitoba. The program brings together school boards, child welfare agencies, libraries, and community organizations to support students who have disengaged from traditional education. Early results have been encouraging. Participants have collectively earned between 80 and 100 academic credits during the program’s first 10 months, one student has already graduated, and several more are expected to receive diplomas by the end of June. Organizers say the program’s success stems from its ability to coordinate services across sectors and adapt educational delivery to the complex needs of youth in care.

 

CBC News