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California
2nd July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

California schools face major overhaul

California's new state budget has transferred significant powers from the elected schools superintendent to a governor-appointed official, a move supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom and education reform advocates. This change, described as "a monumental victory for California's students" by Ted Lempert, president of Children Now, aims to streamline oversight of the state's $149bn public education system, which serves over 6m students. Critics, including candidates for the superintendent position, argue that this shift undermines democratic processes and the will of voters, as it bypasses the traditional legislative process. The new law allows the governor's education commissioner to control the education budget and policy, raising concerns about accountability and transparency in public education. Both candidates, Sonja Shaw and Richard Barrera, have expressed strong opposition to the changes, fearing they will diminish the independent voice of the elected superintendent.

STATE NEWS

California's new laws shake things up

On July 1, several new laws in California came into effect, addressing issues from commercial loudness on streaming services to food labeling and school policies. Veteran lobbyist Chris Micheli explained that about two dozen laws have a delayed start to allow compliance time. Among the notable changes, the Commercial Loudness Mitigation Act will ensure streaming ads are not louder than the content. Food safety laws will require clearer labeling, including freshness dates and allergen disclosures. The “Glock ban” will restrict certain semi-automatic handguns, expanding the definition of machine guns. Additionally, the Phone-Free Schools Act mandates limits on smartphone use in K-12 schools, while new ID cards will include suicide hotline numbers for LGBTQ+ youth. As Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated, there are concerns about the constitutionality of some restrictions on firearm purchases.

Schools struggle to ring the changes

Two years after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Phone-Free Schools Act, California's phone ban is now in effect, but many schools are struggling with enforcement. John Lisovsky, a teacher at Galileo Academy, noted that while some schools have strict policies, the overall implementation is lacking. "This is a silly fiction," he said, referring to the ineffective enforcement of the ban. A survey revealed that 88% of students, parents, and staff desire a stricter policy. Lisovsky advocates for a complete ban on smartphones in schools, emphasizing the negative impact of phone addiction on students' mental health and academic performance. He suggests that schools should consider creating environments for families who prefer a phone-free upbringing for their children.

California's literacy plan under fire

California's literacy instruction is under scrutiny, as the National Council on Teacher Quality's report, "Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation," reveals that the state ranks among the bottom 12 in preparing future educators for reading instruction. Only 24% of evaluated programs received an “A,” while 35% earned an “F.” Critics, including Ron Noble, chief of Teacher Prep at NCTQ, emphasized the importance of effective reading instruction, stating, “Learning to read is essential to a student’s ability to succeed in life.” Despite California's low ranking, education leaders argue that the state has made significant investments, including $1bn in literacy initiatives since 2020. The report highlights a need for improvement, particularly in supporting English learners and struggling readers, as California aims to enhance its literacy education framework.

California boosts child-care spaces

California is set to increase state-subsidized child-care spaces by 22,770, addressing affordability issues for families. This expansion follows months of uncertainty and potential cuts to the program. Governor Gavin Newsom's final budget includes funding for nearly half of the promised 44,000 slots for the upcoming fiscal year, contributing to a total of 206,800 slots pledged in 2021. Laura Pryor, research director at the California Budget & Policy Center, expressed gratitude for the expansion, stating: “Considering that we didn't have any of those spaces and we had cuts proposed... I'm really happy to see that.” The budget also simplifies access for families, allowing automatic enrollment for those in districts with high free lunch eligibility. Despite the progress, advocates continue to seek support for child-care providers and rate reforms to reflect actual costs.

NATIONAL NEWS

Education groups sue Trump administration over withheld federal funding

A coalition of education advocacy groups, including the National Center for Learning Disabilities, has sued the Trump administration, alleging the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Education unlawfully withheld congressionally appropriated funding for the Institute of Education Sciences. The lawsuit argues the administration has prevented the agency from spending funds approved by Congress, placing $793m for education research programs at risk of expiring on September 30, alongside $50m or the Comprehensive Centers program and additional funding for the Education Innovation and Research program, which expires later in the year. Plaintiffs say the funding freeze could have a devastating impact on education research, teacher support, and programs serving students with learning disabilities and high-need communities, while the Education Department said it remains committed to meeting its statutory obligations and supporting high-quality research.

U.S. House approves online child safety package

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, legislation that would require commercial pornography websites to verify users' ages and introduce a range of new online safety protections for minors. The package would also require social media platforms to implement stronger default privacy settings for children, restrict features such as disappearing messages, provide parental controls, require online gaming platforms to offer tools limiting communications and purchases by minors, and mandate that AI chatbots disclose they are not human while providing suicide and crisis hotline information to young users. The bill, which includes the SCREEN Act establishing a national age verification requirement for online pornography, now moves to the Senate. Civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have opposed the legislation, arguing it could undermine free speech, restrict access to legitimate online information, and increase privacy risks through expanded age verification requirements.

DISTRICTS

Literature's evolution in modern classrooms

As student reading rates decline and AI usage increases, five high school English teachers in Los Angeles are re-evaluating the American literary canon. They blend classic works like “The Great Gatsby” and “Of Mice and Men” with contemporary pieces such as “Crying in H Mart” to engage students. Clarke E. Andros from Crossroads School noted: “A community's first responsibility is to protect its children — the ones we have now and the ones we will have.” Los Angeles USD is responding to a decade-long reading recession by limiting student use of technology in classrooms. Teachers face challenges like large class sizes, apathy, and the need to foster critical thinking in an era dominated by distractions. The educators emphasize the importance of literature in understanding America’s identity and the human experience, urging a return to traditional reading methods to combat declining attention spans.

Sausalito Marin City School District hires interim leader

Sausalito Marin City School District has appointed Valerie Pitts as interim superintendent while searching for a permanent replacement. The board voted 4-0 to retain Pitts, who previously served as superintendent at Larkspur-Corte Madera School District for 12 years before her retirement in 2017. Pitts replaces LaResha Huffman, who resigned after three years, effective immediately. Huffman is moving on to lead the American Indian Model Schools.

Marysville High drops Indian mascot

In response to a state law banning Native-American mascots, Marysville High School has officially retired its long-standing "Indians" mascot. The law, stemming from Assembly Bill 3074, requires public schools to change their mascots unless they obtain consent from a recognized tribe. Marysville JUSD Superintendent Jordan Reeves said: “The District was unable to obtain the required written consent,” as tribal representatives chose to remain neutral. While the school currently lacks an official mascot, it is seeking a federally-recognized tribe to potentially retain its historical identity.

NUTRITION

Lawmakers propose reviving LFS program

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced the Local Foods for Healthy Schools Act, legislation that would restore the Local Foods for Schools (LFS) program to help schools purchase locally produced food for student meal programs. The bill would revive a federal initiative established during the Biden administration and discontinued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last year, providing schools with funding to expand fresh, locally sourced, and scratch-made meal options as they prepare for stricter school nutrition standards. Separately, California announced it has served approximately 3.5bn free breakfasts and lunches since launching its universal free school meals program in the 2022-23 school year, with state officials highlighting increased student participation and improved access to nutritious meals.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Schools tackle air quality

As schools prepare for the upcoming year, many are focusing on improving indoor air quality through HVAC system inspection and cleaning during summer maintenance. Contaminants like bacteria, dust, and mold can accumulate in ductwork, leading to health issues for students and teachers, particularly those with respiratory conditions. The EPA warns that poor indoor air quality can increase the risk of pneumonia and other respiratory problems. "When school opens, many children may benefit from cleaner indoor air when school and district officials include HVAC system inspection and cleaning as part of summer maintenance," said a representative from NADCA. Improved ventilation and filtration can significantly enhance air quality, making it essential for schools to prioritize these measures. Parents are encouraged to inquire about their school's HVAC maintenance plans to ensure a healthier environment for their children.
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