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California will invest an additional $2.4bn in special education, a 43% increase from last year, through a budget measure signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Schools may use the funding to strengthen programmes by hiring more reading specialists, behavioural health aides and one-to-one counsellors. “All of us learn differently, and so we have to do things differently,” Newsom said. Twin Rivers USD said the investment should improve access to assessments, services and support for students with disabilities. The funding follows federal changes affecting education oversight, including the closure of California’s Office of Civil Rights branch and the cancellation of grants challenged by California and two other states. Disability Rights California attorney Megan Stanton-Trehan said the additional money could help schools identify individual needs, deliver appropriate support and reduce discrimination and other harmful experiences.

 

Yahoo! News

California ended its CalSHAPE school ventilation and air-conditioning programme two years early, leaving $191m unspent and thousands of campuses without promised upgrades. Although more than 4,500 schools identified damaged systems, only 172 received improvement funding after a complicated application process forced the programme to close. Districts including Temecula Valley and Torrance used initial grants to inspect equipment but were unable to replace hundreds of ageing units. Lawmakers are now considering directing roughly $70m in earned interest towards an unrelated virtual power plant scheme. School advocates argue the remaining money should protect pupils during intensifying heatwaves, while ratepayer groups want funds returned through utility-bill relief. Torrance deputy superintendent Keith Butler said schools have been “band-aiding what we have,” warning systems may soon fail completely.

 

Cal Matters

A California bill would establish paid teacher apprenticeships to help address the state's persistent shortage of arts educators by allowing student teachers to earn wages while completing their credentialing programs. AB 1904, introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, would provide aspiring teachers across all subjects with at least 300 hours of paid on-the-job training and 200 hours of annual mentoring, offering an alternative to traditional unpaid student teaching that advocates say is a major financial barrier to entering the profession. Supporters argue the proposal could help schools make better use of Proposition 28 funding, which has allocated billions of dollars to expand arts education but has been hampered by a lack of credentialed teachers. California is estimated to need 5,457 additional arts teachers, a roughly 50% increase from 2022 levels, to meet demand, while the state issued an average of only about 1,100 new arts teaching credentials annually in the five years before Proposition 28 was approved.

 

EdSource

Many U.S. schools are inadequately prepared to assist students who have suffered concussions, according to a recent study published in the Journal of School Nursing. The research indicates that a quarter of public schools lack any concussion policy, while those with policies often do not provide sufficient training for staff. Lead researcher Kelly Sarmiento, director of outreach programs for the Brain Injury Association of America, stated: "School nurses are absolutely central to concussion management in schools, and in many cases, they're carrying a significant share of that responsibility." The study analyzed data from the 2024 School Pulse Panel, revealing that only 58% of schools with a concussion policy included accommodations for students recovering from concussions, and just 29% mandated staff training. Factors contributing to this issue may include limited resources and staffing, particularly in higher-poverty communities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that schools actively monitor students' symptoms and adjust their workloads accordingly.

 

U.S. News

According to a new study published in JAMA Network Open, the percentage of U.S. high school seniors reporting firearm carriage has significantly declined over the past three decades. The research analyzed data from nearly 65,000 12th-grade students from the Monitoring the Future survey between 1994 and 2023. While the average rate of seniors carrying a gun to school dropped to 2.2%, the study found no significant decline among non-Hispanic Black students. The authors said: "Broader violence prevention efforts are needed alongside school-based policies." The findings highlight that carrying firearms to school increases the risk of firearm-related injuries, especially in crowded environments. The researchers suggest that pediatric primary care and emergency departments could help identify at-risk youth by discussing firearm access and exposure to violence. However, limitations in the survey may lead to an undercount of firearm carriage among students who are absent or have dropped out.

 

Fox 35 Orlando

A study of approximately 106,000 Indiana students and 3,300 teachers found that anxiety about teaching math was associated with slightly lower test scores, with the effects becoming more pronounced over several years. The relationship remained after accounting for prior achievement, socioeconomic status, teacher experience and English learner status. Girls, English learners, lower-achieving pupils, Hispanic students and Asian students appeared especially affected. Black, Hispanic and low-income children were also more likely to be taught by anxious teachers. Elementary, less experienced and female teachers reported higher anxiety, while graduate qualifications and at least seven years of experience were linked to lower levels. Researchers suggest anxious teachers may avoid difficult material and rely more on memorisation, potentially compounding educational inequalities.

 

Education Week News

The American Academy of Pediatrics' updated screen time guidance has been welcomed by educators, but many early childhood teachers say translating broad recommendations into everyday classroom practice remains difficult, particularly for pre-K and kindergarten students. While the guidance encourages using digital devices to support learning rather than maximize engagement, teachers note that it offers limited age-specific advice for younger children. Educators have cautioned that excessive screen use may affect children's cognitive development, emotional regulation, language skills, and social interactions. To reduce unnecessary screen time, teachers are prioritizing active, collaborative learning through activities such as using Play-Doh, blocks, sand trays, nature walks, physical manipulatives, and partner work. When technology is used, they recommend it should be purposeful, interactive, and enhance learning rather than replace hands-on experiences. Teachers also encourage asking whether an activity genuinely requires a screen or could be completed just as effectively with physical materials.

 

EdSurge

The U.S. Department of Education has asked a federal judge to confirm that an existing injunction does not stop it terminating nearly $1bn in school mental health grants. A coalition of 16 states argues the administration is using termination powers to bypass a ruling preventing funding decisions based on diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The states say repeated delays have created uncertainty and caused some recipients to withdraw. The programmes, launched after major school shootings, reportedly served nearly 775,000 students in their first year, halved suicide risk at high-need schools and improved attendance, behaviour and engagement.

 

Courthouse News Service

Since Bob Chesney became head coach of UCLA football, the program has transformed into a prime destination for high school recruits. The Bruins have significantly improved their roster through the transfer portal, achieving one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. As noted by ESPN's Eli Lederman: "Spurred on by fresh energy under first-year coach Bob Chesney... the Bruins went to work on the recruiting trail this spring." UCLA currently ranks 14th in ESPN's recruiting rankings, with a potential top-30 class for the first time since 2018. Key recruits include defensive back JuJu Johnson, defensive tackle George Toia, and cornerback Jerry Outhouse Jr. However, questions remain about whether UCLA can retain these commitments until National Signing Day on February 5, 2027. Winning games will be crucial for maintaining their momentum and attracting top talent.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune