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California
25th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Recess cuts raise learning concerns

Education and child development experts are warning that the continued reduction of recess time in U.S. schools may be undermining student learning, social development, and mental well-being, despite more than a century of research supporting its benefits. The concerns come as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued updated guidance recommending that students receive at least 20 minutes of recess daily, emphasizing that recess should be treated as an essential part of education rather than an optional activity. The organization called on schools to protect recess time and ensure all students have access to a safe, high-quality break during the school day. Recent survey data suggest many students fall short of that standard. According to an EdWeek Research Center survey, 34% of teachers reported that their students never have recess, while only 40% said students receive recess once per day. Among those who do have recess, most reported breaks lasting 15 to 20 minutes. 

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NATIONAL NEWS

Schools respond to immigration fears

School districts across the United States are expanding family support services and revising safety protocols in response to heightened immigration enforcement activity and growing concerns among immigrant communities. Educators report increased demand for food assistance, transportation support, legal information, and emergency planning, as some families have avoided public spaces or kept children home from school out of fear of encounters with immigration authorities. Districts including St. Paul, Minnesota, and Montgomery County, Maryland, have partnered with community organizations, trained staff on responding to immigration-related incidents, and developed contingency plans for families facing detention or deportation proceedings, while school leaders warn that responding to these challenges is diverting time and resources away from teaching and learning.

STATE NEWS

Bill seeks to overhaul CTE funding allocation formula

California State Assembly member Rhodesia Ransom, D-Stockton, has brought forward Assembly Bill 1590 to address what legislators, district leaders and advocates have described as flaws in the state's allocation formula for career technical education (CTE) funding. While the state has earmarked $300m a year since 2021 for CTE, an average of $23m has failed to reach schools. Assemblymember Ransom said the current allocation formula "makes everybody scale back; that makes them have fewer certification programs, fewer learning opportunities and, then, fewer pathways". Currently, if districts are unable to provide match funding - at a rate of $2 per $1 of CTE funding - unused funding is returned to the state's General Fund, while the new bill would ensure that all funding is distributed.

CURRICULUM

Schools rethink math pathways

A growing number of school districts and states are replacing the traditional sequence of Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II with integrated math, which blends concepts from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry across multiple years. Supporters argue the approach helps students retain key concepts, creates greater flexibility for advanced courses such as data science and statistics, and better aligns with modern workforce and college demands. States including Maryland are adopting integrated math as part of broader efforts to expand postsecondary pathways beyond calculus, while educators in districts such as Chapman, Kansas, report improved student performance. Critics, however, warn that the model may leave some students less prepared for calculus-intensive STEM fields and can create challenges for students transferring between schools with different math sequences. While research suggests integrated math may modestly improve achievement, evidence of large-scale benefits remains limited, and debate continues over whether the approach best serves all students.

GOVERNANCE

LAUSD Board backs Acting Superintendent for top job

The Los Angeles USD Board of Education has unanimously approved the appointment of Andrés E. Chait as Superintendent. Chait has served as Acting Superintendent since the February arrest of his predecessor, Alberto Carvalho, who resigned late Sunday night. Chait said it would be "the honor of a lifetime" to serve as Superintendent, adding: "This district has shaped my life and career. I have had the privilege of serving our school communities in many roles, and I remain deeply committed to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education, every employee feels valued and supported, and every family knows they have a partner in Los Angeles Unified."

New Sac City superintendent tackles budget crisis

Jacqueline White has been appointed as the new superintendent of Sacramento City Unified, effective September 1. Currently serving as the assistant superintendent at the Sacramento County Office of Education, White brings over 20 years of educational experience. Her appointment comes as the district grapples with a significant budget crisis, with projections indicating a potential deficit of nearly $510m by 2028-29. The Sacramento County Board of Education emphasized the importance of continuity during this transition, particularly in addressing the fiscal challenges facing the district. David Gordon, the current superintendent, is set to retire in 2027 after 22 years in the role.

New Superintendent appointed in Twin Rivers USD

The Twin Rivers USD Board has confirmed the appointment of Tu Moua Carroz as Superintendent after Steve Martinez departs in October after 13 years in the role. Following her appointment, Carroz said in a statement that her "vision for Twin Rivers is clear: academic excellence and equity, held together and never traded off, so that all 45 schools share one coherent instructional core".

DISTRICTS

Pasadena schools face transformation vote

The Pasadena USD Board of Education is set to vote today on a new resolution aimed at initiating a district transformation process. This decision comes after a previous plan to merge schools faced significant community backlash, leading to a loss of trust. The new resolution seeks to replace the earlier one regarding school size and will include a study session on August 13 to discuss future steps. The district is grappling with a $30m structural deficit and declining enrollment, prompting the need for a comprehensive review of local enrollment data and staffing levels. Board President Tina Fredericks and Trustee Scott Harden are also facing potential recall elections amid ongoing controversies. "The community trust had been lost," said a district representative regarding the earlier merger discussions.

FINANCE

Elk Grove USD tackles budget woes

The Elk Grove USD Board of Trustees approved a $1.16bn budget on June 17, aiming to reduce its deficit by over 90% by the 2026-27 school year. Chief Financial Officer Amari Watkins stated: “The deficit spending in both years is from planned spending of unrestricted reserves and restricted one-time funds received in prior years.” The district anticipates revenues of $1.16bn against expenditures of $1.17bn, with 96% of general fund revenue sourced from California state funds. Approximately 80% of expenditures are allocated to salaries and benefits, with $444m earmarked for certificated employees' salaries. The budget also includes plans for two new schools and initiatives to improve attendance, projecting a 94% average daily attendance rate for the upcoming school year. The Sacramento County Office of Education will review the budget before the state finalizes its budget in July.

Sylvan USD proposes $70m bond measure

The Sylvan USD Board of Education has voted to place a $70m bond measure on the November 3 ballot, marking the first bond initiative in 20 years. The proposed measure would impose a tax of $25 per $100,000 of assessed property value, starting in the 2027-28 fiscal year and lasting until 2058-59. Homeowners with properties valued at $500,000 would see an increase of $125 in their property taxes. The bond requires a 55% voter approval to pass. The funds will address necessary repairs and upgrades to schools built in the 1960s, including modernizing classrooms and improving infrastructure. Chad Brown, a trustee for Modesto City Schools, emphasized the importance of moving forward with the bond, stating: “I believe very strongly that Sylvan's bonds are greatly needed at this time.” Both Sylvan Union and Modesto City Schools have bond measures on the ballot, raising concerns about voter turnout.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Parents struggle to fund college

According to a recent survey by Talker Research for College Ave, half of parents are uncertain about how to afford their children's college education. The survey, which included 500 parents of high school seniors and 500 parents of current college students, revealed that while parents saved an average of nearly $37,000 for education, only 32% felt they had saved enough to cover costs. Concerns about student debt are prevalent, with 33% worried about their child starting adult life in debt. Dan Kennedy, Chief Marketing Officer of College Ave, said: “The survey highlights that paying for college is a ‘team effort' for most families.” Many parents plan to involve their children in funding their education through jobs or loans, reflecting a collective commitment to investing in higher education.
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