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California
13th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Career education, improved data tracking, drive higher graduation rates at BIE schools

High school graduation rates at schools overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) have reached a record 79%, up from just over 50% in 2015, driven by improved data reporting and local initiatives such as expanded career and technical education. BIE officials said standardized graduation tracking introduced in 2018 has produced more accurate reporting by eliminating errors that previously counted transferred students as dropouts. At the same time, many tribally operated schools have introduced programs that better align with students’ interests and career goals. At Washington’s Chief Leschi Schools, for example, graduation rates rose from 53% in 2019 to 87% in 2025 after the school expanded career-focused learning, while Choctaw Central High School maintained a virtual learning option that administrators said helped increase graduation rates. Despite the gains, tribal leaders and education advocates warned that ongoing federal changes, including the transfer of Native education programs to the BIE, staffing reductions, and broader restructuring under the Trump administration, could strain the agency’s resources and jeopardize future progress.

STATE NEWS

California's education budget breaks records

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a historic budget for public education, committing $4.1bn to community schools and $2.4bn to special education, marking a 43% year-over-year increase—the largest in the state's history. Newsom emphasized the need for educational reforms, stating, "All of us learn differently, and so we have to do things differently.” The budget also includes expanded dual-enrollment opportunities, updated curricula, and 14 weeks of paid family leave for teachers. Davis schools Superintendent Matt Best remarked: "Public education transforms lives,” highlighting the importance of resources for educators. Assemblymember David Alvarez shared his personal journey as a first-generation college graduate, underscoring the budget's promise for future generations.

WORKFORCE

Study warns student loan limits may shrink principal pipeline

A new analysis warns that recently introduced federal student loan limits for graduate students could reduce the number of teachers pursuing careers as principals and superintendents, as many education leadership programs require multiple graduate credentials that may exceed the new borrowing caps. The research, by Arizona State University assistant professor Lennon Audrain, found that while the new limits are unlikely to affect most aspiring classroom teachers, they could create significant financial barriers for educators seeking master's degrees, educational administration credentials, and doctoral programs needed for school leadership roles. Most graduate education degrees are not classified as "professional degrees" under current federal regulations, making them subject to a lower lifetime borrowing cap of $100,000, compared with $200,000 for many other professional fields. The study also found that education has one of the weakest debt-to-earnings trajectories among graduate fields, meaning educators often accumulate debt without comparable salary growth. 

LEGAL

Schools take on social media giants

Los Angeles USD (LAUSD) and over 1,000 school districts are suing social media companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok, claiming their platforms are "addictive" and detrimental to children's mental health. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, seeks financial compensation and changes to platform designs that promote compulsive use. Aelish Baig, a lead attorney for LAUSD, stated: "Excessive social media use has fueled a youth mental health crisis," forcing schools to shift resources from education to crisis intervention. The districts argue that they have had to hire more counselors and provide additional training for staff due to rising mental health issues among students. The case follows a landmark trial in which a teenager was awarded $6m for similar claims against Meta and Google. The outcome could compel social media companies to fund mental health services and implement safeguards to protect students.

TECHNOLOGY

Researchers urge schools to redesign assignments for the AI era

While concerns about students using artificial intelligence to cheat remain widespread, a new survey suggests educators are increasingly worried about a deeper issue: determining whether students have genuinely learned the material. The survey, conducted between spring 2025 and spring 2026, gathered responses from 303 Wisconsin educators and 132 school professionals nationwide. Although academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misinformation, bias, and data privacy ranked among the top concerns, nearly half of Wisconsin respondents and more than half of national respondents said AI makes it harder to assess what students actually understand. Many also reported concerns that students are becoming overly reliant on AI, potentially weakening critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The findings suggest schools should focus less on detecting AI use and more on designing assignments that demonstrate authentic learning. The report also notes that relatively few school districts have formal AI policies, highlighting the need for clearer guidance on when and how students should be permitted to use AI in their coursework.

ABSENTEEISM

Absence data sharpens school response

A new report from the American Enterprise Institute suggests school districts can better address chronic absenteeism by analyzing unexcused and excused absences separately, rather than treating all missed school days the same. Using Indiana attendance data from the 2015-16 through 2023-24 school years, researchers found that chronic absenteeism is driven disproportionately by unexcused absences, which are more common among students from historically disadvantaged groups, including students living in poverty, and Black and Hispanic students. The report also found that unexcused absences tend to increase during the spring and are more likely to occur after a student has already accumulated several missed days. Researchers argue that distinguishing between absence types could help schools identify at-risk students earlier and target interventions more effectively. While chronic absenteeism has declined in many states since its pandemic-era peak, rates remain above pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the need for more focused strategies to improve student attendance.

STUDENT SUCCESS

Second chances: a scholarship story

The Joe Howell Legacy Scholarship, established in 2024, aims to support students and adults pursuing higher education and career training, particularly those from Santa Barbara County Education Office’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS). Juan Tello Salinas, a 17-year-old recent graduate, emphasized the importance of second chances, stating: “Your past does not have to decide your future. What matters most is what you choose to do next.” The $500 scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also serves as a reminder of the belief in students' potential. Tello Salinas expressed gratitude for the support he received, particularly from his family and teaching assistant Michael Fuentes, as he aims to build a career that alleviates his parents' stress and makes them proud.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Summit builds healthier school agenda

Five national organizations are launching the inaugural Healthy Schools for Healthy Kids Summit to create a health-first agenda for America’s schools and develop recommendations for healthier K-12 learning environments. The summit, scheduled for August 5 in Washington, D.C., will bring together leaders in public health, education, facilities management, and philanthropy to address issues including school modernization, indoor air quality, healthy building materials, emergency preparedness, lighting, acoustics, and technical assistance. Organizers plan to produce actionable recommendations to guide future policy and investment decisions affecting school facilities. The initiative comes as school districts continue to face aging infrastructure, poor indoor environmental quality, and climate-related challenges. Organizers note that the average U.S. school building is nearly 50 years old, the nation faces an estimated $90bn annual school infrastructure investment gap, and poor indoor air quality contributes to about 14m asthma-related missed school days each year.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Research highlights growing problem of parental aggression toward school leaders

A new study published in Psychology of Violence found that school administrators experience significantly higher levels of verbal abuse and threats from parents than teachers or school mental health professionals, highlighting a growing but often overlooked challenge facing K-12 schools. Researchers from Ohio State University found that after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, 77% of administrators reported experiencing verbal or threatening aggression from parents, nearly 3.5 times the rate reported by teachers. The study also found that more than 40% of administrators had received verbal threats, while more than one in four teachers reported being publicly humiliated or cyberbullied by parents. The researchers described parental aggression toward school staff as a "silent epidemic," warning that underreporting and the lack of a national tracking system obscure the scale of the problem. The study found that strong relationships between parents and schools, supportive leadership, effective disciplinary policies, and greater community investment in education can help reduce incidents of aggression and improve school safety.

SPORT

UCLA women's basketball eyes top recruits

UCLA women's basketball is making waves in recruiting after a historic season, finishing with a 28-1 record and winning the national title. Head coach Cori Close, who led a senior-heavy team to success, is now focusing on rebuilding the roster. With key players like Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice moving to the WNBA, Close has turned to the transfer portal, adding talents such as Addy Brown and Donovyn Hunter. Notably, she is targeting the class of 2027 and has secured a visit from Kaleena Smith, the top player in the class of 2028. "Her ability to pick her spots to score or distribute does not go unnoticed by her teammates," said Brandon Clay, 247Sports Women's Basketball Director of Scouting, highlighting Smith's exceptional skills. If she commits, Smith could form a dynamic duo with Sienna Betts, promising an exciting future for UCLA women's basketball.

HIGHER EDUCATION

UC SAT debate heats up again

The University of California is revisiting the SAT admissions policy, a significant issue as the regents prepare for discussions next week. Former UC President Janet Napolitano emphasized the need for a reassessment, stating: “It's been a six-year experiment, and it now needs to be revisited.” Faculty concerns about incoming students' math skills have prompted this reconsideration, with over 1,400 faculty members advocating for a return to standardized testing. While some argue that the SAT could help address preparedness gaps, others caution against its reinstatement, citing potential political ramifications. UC officials maintain that the review is driven by faculty concerns rather than external pressures. The outcome of this debate could reshape admissions practices at one of the nation's leading public universities.

INTERNATIONAL

Yukon panel recommends formation of new education authority

A Yukon education review panel is calling for policy changes to reduce political interference in schools, arguing that parents who lobby elected officials directly often receive preferential treatment, undermining fairness, trust, and established decision-making processes. The panel recommends a stronger quality assurance system and clearer complaint pathways, while Education Minister Scott Kent acknowledged the concern, defended the department's staffing and funding, and said the government is open to restructuring school governance, including creating a new education authority. Yukon education leaders and First Nations representatives broadly welcomed the recommendations but stressed that meaningful reform will depend on the government's willingness to implement long-discussed changes.
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