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California
14th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

SNAP cuts threaten California meals

The Trump administration's cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could jeopardize California's universal school meals program, affecting millions of students, according to a recent report by a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit policy research group. Paige Shoemaker DeMio, a report author, stated: “As the program gets more and more expensive, the state might have to reconsider if it's within the budget for them to continue to operate a universal preschool meal program.” California currently spends about $1.8bn in state funding and receives an additional $2.7bn from federal sources for its universal school meals initiative. If federal support decreases, California may need to cover a larger share of the costs, particularly impacting districts with lower direct certification rates for free meals. In the 2024-25 school year, over 4.6m public school students in California were eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

STATE NEWS

Revolutionizing California's education system

California is facing significant challenges in education, with concerns about literacy and student preparedness for universities. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced a controversial reform that shifts oversight of K-12 schools from an elected superintendent to a governor-appointed education commissioner. This change, set to take effect next year, aims to streamline accountability in a fragmented system. Linda Darling-Hammond, a professor emeritus at Stanford University, emphasized that the reform is about "making the system run well," highlighting the need for efficiency in policy implementation. Michael Kirst, former president of California's State Board of Education, noted that the new system promises "much clearer, cleaner accountability." Ultimately, this reform could lead to improved educational outcomes, placing responsibility directly on the governor if schools do not succeed.

NATIONAL NEWS

Lawsuit seeks to preserve $1bn school mental health initiative

A coalition of 15 Democratic-led states, including California, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, and Rhode Island has sued the Trump administration over plans to end funding for a $1bn federal grant program that supports school-based mental health services. The states argue the U.S. Department of Education is unlawfully attempting to terminate the grants despite a court order issued in late 2025 that blocked an earlier effort to end the program. The grants, established by Congress following the 2018 Parkland school shooting and expanded after the 2022 Uvalde tragedy, have helped schools hire and train mental health professionals, providing services to nearly 775,000 students nationwide. The administration has argued the grants conflict with its policy priorities because of alleged links to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, while the states contend the funding is essential for supporting students' mental health and that the administration lacks the authority to revoke it.

DISTRICTS

School transfer tussle heats up

The ongoing conflict between Salinas City Elementary School District (SCESD) and the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) highlights the complexities of student transfers. In the 2023-24 school year, 549 students left SCESD, representing 7% of average daily attendance, prompting Superintendent Rebeca Andrade to express concern, stating: “That’s a significant number of students.” SCESD has recently denied more interdistrict transfer requests, leading to increased appeals from parents. MCOE has often sided with parents, overturning SCESD's denials despite Andrade's plea for upholding them. The financial implications of declining enrollment are significant, as each student represents funding from the State of California. MCOE Superintendent Deneen Guss noted that declining enrollment creates financial pressure, which affects transfer policies. MCOE Board President Heather Owen emphasized the importance of parental choice, stating: “There is some value also in allowing parents and families to choose what is right for them.” The debate raises broader questions about who decides students' educational paths.

Modesto schools make big decisions

Modesto-area school districts are making significant decisions as they wrap up summer break. Modesto City Schools trustees approved a $250m bond measure for the November ballot aimed at upgrading high school facilities. Similarly, the Sylvan USD board voted to place a $70m bond measure on the Nov. 3 ballot, which requires 55% voter approval. The Yosemite Community College District is also considering a bond, but concerns about multiple measures affecting voter support have been raised. Additionally, Modesto City Schools implemented a full-day cellphone ban for the 2026-27 school year, with consequences for violations. The board also approved a 292% increase in trustees' monthly stipend, which faced criticism amid ongoing contract negotiations. Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago emphasized the need for statewide collaboration to address rising healthcare costs, advocating for a statewide pooling system. "We need to work together to find solutions," Buitrago said, highlighting both achievements and challenges in the district.

TECHNOLOGY

AI schools: The future of learning

Over the last decade, Alpha School has expanded from a single campus in Austin to over 15 locations nationwide, including major cities like New York and San Francisco. Co-founder MacKenzie Price expressed her frustration with the traditional "one-size-fits-all" education model, advocating for personalized AI tutoring. While AI can enhance learning, as noted in a 2020 review by the National Bureau of Economic Research, there is no definitive evidence that AI tutors outperform human ones. Studies indicate that effective tutoring, whether human or AI, should support classroom learning. Gerald K. LeTendre from Penn State emphasizes the need for professional development to help teachers integrate AI tools effectively, rather than viewing AI as a replacement for educators.

AI tools may hinder student motivation

AI is often seen as a tool to enhance teaching effectiveness, but a recent study reveals it may actually undermine student learning. "Teachers, just like students or coders, might be using AI as a crutch," said Alp Sungu, lead author and assistant professor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. The study, "Generative AI Can Harm Teaching," found that students of teachers using AI tools reported lower motivation and enjoyment in classes. This effect was particularly pronounced among students of weaker instructors, who scored lower on standardized exams. Sungu noted that while AI can generate materials, it may lead to a loss of personal teaching style, making classes less engaging. The findings suggest that simply having access to AI does not guarantee improved teaching; instead, it may require careful integration to preserve human creativity and judgment in education.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

SROs return to campuses

The Pajaro Valley USD Board of Trustees is set to revisit contracts for school resource officers at its high schools for the upcoming academic year. The district plans to reimburse the city of Watsonville up to $152,053 for a part-time officer at each of its two high schools, while also considering a contract with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for a full-time officer at Aptos High School, costing $925 per day. These officers will provide emergency assistance, participate in community-building activities, and support school staff, but will not enforce school discipline. The board previously dissolved the program in 2020 but reinstated it in 2021 after a tragic on-campus incident. The contracts have faced scrutiny, with some arguing they do not enhance safety and disproportionately affect students of color, while supporters believe they provide necessary security. The board approved the contracts with a 4-2 vote, with dissent from Trustees Jessica Carrasco and Gabe Medina.

STUDENT SUCCESS

Empowering students through hands-on learning

Gerald Dillon, an 18-year-old graduate from Chief Leschi Schools, found renewed motivation through career training, stating, "It motivates me. I like making connections with the kids, I like helping them." His school has shifted focus to technical training, resulting in improved graduation rates across Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, which rose from 53% to 87% between 2019 and 2025. This increase is attributed to better data collection methods and local innovations, such as hands-on job training and virtual learning options. However, concerns remain about potential setbacks due to changes in federal education policies and funding cuts. Tribal leaders emphasize the need for stability and resources to maintain progress in education for Native American students.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Free summer meals for kids!

Sacramento City USD is providing free summer breakfasts and lunches for all children aged 18 and under, with no registration or ID required, at various community and school sites through July.

INTERNATIONAL

EU pushes for bloc-wide child safety rules on social media

The European Commission is preparing to propose a bloc-wide minimum age for social media access, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlining plans for a "social media start date" that would generally prevent children under 13 from accessing platforms unless supervised by a parent or caregiver. The proposal, expected after the summer, would introduce phased access for older teenagers, with platforms required to demonstrate that their services are age-appropriate and safe before restrictions are eased. The initiative follows mounting pressure from several EU member states, including France, which have argued that social media companies have failed to adequately protect children online and, in some cases, have already introduced national restrictions. While most major platforms officially require users to be at least 13, regulators acknowledge that these limits are frequently bypassed. Alongside the proposed age restrictions, the European Commission is developing an age verification app that would allow users to confirm their age without sharing unnecessary personal information with platforms.

AND FINALLY......

Student engineers transform classroom pastime into aviation achievement

A team of aerospace engineering students from the University of Pisa has set a new Guinness World Record by building and flying the world's largest paper airplane. Named Icarus, the aircraft measured more than 23 feet long, had a 65.75-foot wingspan, weighed about 63 pounds, and glided nearly 200 feet during its record-setting flight at the We Make Future technology expo in Bologna, Italy. The project, developed in collaboration with engineering content creator Jakidale, evolved from students folding paper airplanes between classes into a months-long engineering challenge involving computer modeling, prototype testing, and aerodynamic design. The successful flight surpassed the previous record set by Germany in 2013, returning the Guinness title to Italy for the first time in more than a decade.
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