Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
California
23rd July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Los Angeles USD faces financial crisis ahead

Marc Joffe, a visiting fellow at California Policy Center, warns that Los Angeles USD is heading toward a serious financial crisis after county officials issued a “Lack of Going Concern” designation. District projections show operating cash falling $231m below zero by November 2027, potentially threatening payroll. Joffe argues the crisis was preventable, citing deficit spending, costly labour agreements, declining enrolment and staffing levels that have not adjusted sufficiently. Although LAUSD’s budget and per-pupil spending have risen sharply, student outcomes remain weak. He calls for school consolidations, deeper reductions in non-teaching staff and changes to salary schedules that reward longevity. Without structural reforms, Joffe says temporary budget fixes may only delay outside intervention and fail to restore long-term stability.

NATIONAL NEWS

Limited access to advanced math linked to STEM workforce gaps

A new report from Just Equations argues that systemic barriers continue to limit Black students’ access to high-quality mathematics, with Black students representing 15% of U.S. public school enrollment but only 6% of those taking AP math courses during the 2021-22 school year. The report says unequal access to Algebra I in middle school, Algebra II, calculus, and other advanced courses restricts college and career opportunities, contributing to Black workers accounting for 9% of the STEM workforce despite making up 12% of the overall workforce. The organization is calling for reforms that expand access to advanced math, redesign high school math pathways, invest in culturally responsive instruction, and remove admissions practices that reinforce inequities, arguing that improving math opportunities would strengthen both educational outcomes and workforce diversity.

Trump promotes child savings accounts during first school visit of second term

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump visited Wheeler High School in suburban Atlanta to promote the administration’s Trump Accounts program, which provides a $1,000 government-funded savings account for children born during his current term if their parents enroll, with families able to contribute up to $5,000 annually until the child turns 18. Joined by several Cabinet officials, Trump described the initiative as a major investment in children’s financial futures, while critics questioned its fiscal impact, whether lower-income families will benefit, and the appropriateness of using a public school to host what opponents characterized as a politically charged event that also featured campaign appearances and prompted local protests. 

TECHNOLOGY

School districts expand data privacy policies

K–12 school districts are increasingly adopting formal data governance programs to strengthen student data privacy, improve cybersecurity, support compliance with regulations such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and prepare for the growing use of artificial intelligence in education. District leaders are documenting policies, enforcing least-privilege access, reviewing software vendor agreements, and using tools such as multifactor authentication, single sign-on, identity management, and data loss prevention to better safeguard sensitive information. School technology leaders say effective data governance requires districtwide collaboration rather than being treated solely as an IT responsibility.

AI's impact on reading struggles

Writing in EdSurge, literacy coach Court Shuller argues that artificial intelligence (AI) should help students access complex texts rather than replace them with simplified versions. She warns that lowering reading difficulty can strip literature of its meaning, reduce productive struggle and create inequities by denying some students access to original works. After seeing a struggling student disengage from AI-generated summaries, Shuller returned to rereading, vocabulary work, discussion and background knowledge, which improved comprehension and participation. AI can still support learning by creating scaffolds, identifying difficult passages and developing fluency activities. As Shuller warns: “AI is our Mephistopheles: a powerful servant, but a dangerous master.”

FINANCE

Tamalpais UHSD skips tax

Voters in Tamalpais UHSD will not see a new parcel tax measure on the November ballot. Superintendent Courtney Goode said the board decided against continuing with the parcel tax exploratory committee, citing economic uncertainty as a major concern. "The board generally preferred to wait and revisit a possible parcel tax ballot initiative in 2028," Goode said. Trustee Kevin Saavedra expressed discomfort with the current financial situation, stating: "The continuing underperformance of our revenues and overperformance of our expense projections are deeply concerning." While some trustees, like Emily Uhlhorn, suggested polling voters for future support, the board ultimately decided to hold off on any new tax initiatives for now. The existing parcel tax, set to expire in June 2029, currently charges about $560 per parcel with a 3% annual increase.

LEGAL

School sued over plan to admit girls

A group called Men for Others has filed a lawsuit against Jesuit High School in Sacramento, challenging its decision to admit girls starting in 2027. The lawsuit claims the school is abandoning its all-boys mission without adequate community involvement and lists several legal grievances, including breach of fiduciary duty. Jesuit High, founded in 1963, cites declining enrollment as a reason for the change, with spokesperson Elizabeth Sands noting that the school has room for several hundred female students. The board maintains that the decision was thoroughly reviewed and endorsed by relevant authorities, aiming to create a co-divisional model that benefits both boys and girls.

WORKFORCE

Breaking ground for affordable housing

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara has commenced construction on an affordable housing development aimed at benefiting employees of the Santa Barbara USD. With only 11% of staff reporting that housing is affordable, this initiative is crucial for local educators. District Superintendent Hilda Maldonado emphasized the importance of providing quality housing, stating: “At Santa Barbara Unified, we believe that our great teachers and our great staff deserve beautiful housing, and they deserve to live and work in the community that they serve.” The project is expected to be completed by December 2027.

DISTRICTS

Screen time limits set for students

The Santa Barbara USD Board of Trustees has voted to implement a new policy aimed at reducing screen time for students. The "Intentional Use of Technology" resolution, approved with a 4-0 vote, will prohibit personal devices on campus and limit device use for transitional kindergarten through 2nd grade. The board is also considering allowing parents to opt their children out of certain technology uses. This decision follows a push from parents for stricter controls on technology in classrooms, inspired by a similar resolution passed by Los Angeles USD. Trustee Sunita Beall noted that the new resolution “satisfied [her] desire to have a really clear approach.” The district has already banned YouTube on iPads and installed new content filters.

Salinas students celebrate scholarship success

This weekend, 75 high-achieving seniors from Salinas will receive scholarships totaling $45,000 from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 2055. Founded in 1929, LULAC is the oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the U.S., with a mission to enhance the economic and educational conditions of the Hispanic community. Chris Barrera, president of LULAC 2055, stated: “We look for students who can relate to LULAC's mission. You don't necessarily have to be the cream of the crop.” Scholarships average around $500, with some special awards reaching up to $5,000.

Students inspire future debaters

After Saratoga High School's speech and debate team achieved national recognition, they organized a summer camp for middle school students interested in the program. The camp, now in its fourth year, attracted around 30 participants and focused on enhancing public speaking and critical thinking skills. The camp also serves as a fundraiser, raising $15,000 this year to support team members' competition costs.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

School leaders in safety improvement call

Local school leaders in San Diego are urging city officials to prioritize safety improvements near campuses, with over 100 requested upgrades including speed bumps, crosswalks, and better lighting. Fabi Bagula, San Diego USD superintendent, emphasized the urgency, saying: “The concerns raised by our principals are not theoretical, they reflect the daily realities our students and families face.” Despite ongoing efforts, including a plan to lower speed limits on city streets, the city has struggled to meet its Vision Zero goals aimed at reducing traffic fatalities.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Trade schools surge amid job market woes

In response to a challenging job market and rising costs, more Americans are opting for trade schools over traditional four-year degrees. Enrollment in high vocational schools is projected to increase by nearly 38% from Spring 2021 to Spring 2026, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, while four-year colleges see only a 3% rise. The appeal of immediate job opportunities and hands-on training attracts many students, with some securing employment while still enrolled. However, trade schools face criticism for limiting career options and high tuition fees, leading to significant debt. To assist students in choosing reliable institutions, USA TODAY collaborated with Statista to rank "America's Top Vocational Schools," evaluating metrics such as graduation rates and salary outcomes. "The rankings are judged on five primary metrics," said the report.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Education Department opens admissions probes into five medical schools

The U.S. Department of Education has opened civil rights investigations into admissions practices at five medical schools over alleged racial discrimination, marking the latest step in the Trump administration’s broader effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education. The investigations target Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine, East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, and William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, while the administration continues wider scrutiny of universities over admissions, campus policies, and federal funding.

Empowering immigrant students for success

A new initiative at Stanislaus State University, called the Valley Access for Latino and Immigrant Education Initiative (VALLE), aims to support undocumented, immigrant, first-generation, and farmworker-connected students. Funded by a $9,000 grant from the Stanislaus Community Foundation Adelante Fund, VALLE will launch its pilot program this fall, focusing on 10 to 15 students and their family members. Guillermo Metelin Bock, the lead for undocumented student services, emphasized the importance of community, stating: “The sacrifices of our families is the seed. Education is the harvest.” The program will offer personalized assistance, bilingual workshops, and resources to help families navigate the educational landscape. VALLE seeks to honor the contributions of immigrant families while fostering resilience among students, with hopes of institutionalizing the program in the future.

INTERNATIONAL

Seoul boosts support for Korean language education across the U.S.

South Korea’s Ministry of Education has expanded support for Korean language education in the United States by increasing the distribution of textbooks and teaching materials to 185,000 this year, up from 179,000 in 2025. The initiative, announced with the International Korean Language Education Foundation, also introduces customized resources for toddlers and preschoolers, addressing a longstanding gap in materials for early learners. The program includes new digital teaching tools designed for interactive classroom displays, reflecting growing demand for technology-based instruction. More than 600 nonprofit weekend Korean language schools across the U.S. will receive support, with eight regional Korean Education Centers coordinating textbook distribution, reallocating surplus materials, and providing teacher training as part of South Korea’s broader effort to strengthen cultural and language ties with its overseas Korean communities. 

Facial recognition faces staff backlash

Teachers and educational assistants in Eskasoni First Nation, located in Nova Scotia, say a new facial recognition attendance system introduced in their schools threatens employee privacy and lacks transparency around how biometric data is stored, who can access it, and whether informed consent was obtained. The Eskasoni Teachers' Union has documented instances in which the system allegedly displayed another employee's personal information, filed a formal grievance, and requested that the school board suspend the technology before schools reopen. While the school board says the system is intended to improve timekeeping accuracy, operational efficiency, and prevent time theft, union members argue they support accountability but oppose the collection and use of biometric data without adequate safeguards. The Nova Scotia Department of Education said it is not considering facial recognition technology in provincial schools and emphasized that Eskasoni's school board operates independently under the Mi'kmaq Education Act.

AND FINALLY......

Time capsule reveals Long Beach's past

On July 22, Long Beach opened a 50-year-old time capsule, revealing memorabilia from 1976, including flags and newspapers. Griselda Suarez, the city’s cultural affairs officer, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “We celebrate the people, the memories and the moments that have shaped our city.” Julie Bartolotto, executive director of the Historical Society of Long Beach, highlighted the changes in the country since 1776, noting ongoing struggles for recognition and rights. Mayor Rex Richardson showcased items like a DC-10 model jet and a 1976 phonebook, reflecting the city’s history and evolution. Former Long Beach USD students read letters they wrote in elementary school, sharing their predictions for 2026. “Fifty years from now, cars will run on electricity on rails,” read Lee Beausoleil, now a teacher. The event concluded with an invitation for attendees to view the capsule’s contents up close, sparking nostalgia and reflection on the city’s journey.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe