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California
28th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Federal action on school gender policies

The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice announced significant actions against two school districts in Maryland and Michigan for policies that protect students' gender identity. The departments claim that Anne Arundel Public Schools and Ann Arbor Public Schools are "hiding sensitive information about children's health well-being from their own parents," violating parental rights under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Complaints from Maryland parents indicated that the school was assisting their child in "pretending to be male," while in Michigan, a policy requiring school employees to protect a student's gender identity from parents was found likely to violate FERPA. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said: "This is not only an affront to basic moral principles, but also to parents' rights under federal law," emphasizing the departments' commitment to holding these districts accountable.

STATE NEWS

Revamping arts education funding in California

California lawmakers are moving forward with Assembly Bill 2440, aimed at clarifying the implementation of Proposition 28, which allocates approximately $1bn annually for arts and music education in schools. Authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, the bill addresses the stagnation in spending due to unclear state guidelines. Abe Flores, deputy director at Create CA, noted that many districts are hesitant to spend the funds, fearing non-compliance. The bill allows districts to pool resources, enabling smaller schools to hire itinerant arts teachers and share equipment. Flores emphasized that “we're hoping school leaders can make decisions confidently.” The legislation also provides a clearer formula for fund allocation, allowing districts to seek waivers if they cannot meet the requirement that 80% of funds go to hiring educators. This initiative aims to ensure that the promise of Proposition 28 is fulfilled, expanding arts education across California schools.

NATIONAL NEWS

Astor's shocking admission on school shootings

Ron Avi Astor, a prominent scholar on school violence and a professor at UCLA, recently acknowledged a significant shift in his understanding of school shootings. "We were wrong," Astor said during the American Educational Research Association meeting, reflecting on his previous belief that improving school climate and reducing bullying would prevent such incidents. Despite initiatives leading to fewer students bringing weapons to school, the number of school shootings has risen. Astor now believes that many shooters seek notoriety and that media coverage plays a crucial role in this phenomenon. He suggests that journalists and social media companies should adopt guidelines to minimize attention on perpetrators and focus more on victims. "It's worth a try," he stated, emphasizing the need for a new approach to reduce school shootings. His willingness to change his stance could potentially save lives.

FINANCE

Sacramento schools strike financial deal

The Sacramento City Teachers Association and Sacramento City USD have ratified a new labor agreement that is expected to provide over $97m in financial relief, helping the district avoid insolvency. This agreement, announced by the California Teachers Association, comes as the district faces a $170m budget deficit. “We are committed to protecting public education in our community from the chopping block of state receivership,” said Nikki Davis Milevsky, president of the Sacramento City Teachers Association. The agreement allows the district to temporarily alter how it pays for retiree health benefits, freeing up approximately $67m over three years. The remaining relief will come from Medi-Cal revenue and savings from unfilled positions. “This gives us an opportunity to continue our retiree health benefits,” Davis Milevsky said.

Palo Alto's parcel tax defeat shocks

The recent results of parcel taxes and school bonds in California indicate troubling trends for districts considering tax proposals for the upcoming November ballot. Notably, Palo Alto USD's parcel tax was defeated, marking its first failure in 22 years, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. Former school board member Todd Collins remarked: “As a friend mused, ‘I didn't know that school districts had endowments.'” The statewide passage rate for parcel taxes was only 53%, significantly below the historical average. Meanwhile, school construction bonds fared better, with a 62% passage rate, although still below the norm. Rebekah Kalleen from the Coalition for Adequate School Housing noted that the November ballot typically sees a higher number of school bond proposals. As tax fatigue sets in, districts may face challenges in securing funding for educational needs.

LEGAL

Federal probe into Tulare misconduct

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is investigating Tulare City School District regarding its handling of employee sexual misconduct allegations affecting TK-8 students. This inquiry is part of a broader federal initiative aimed at ensuring public schools adequately address such allegations. The district's 2023-24 Civil Rights Data Collection raised concerns that it "might not be addressing" staff misconduct appropriately. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized the need for schools to protect children, stating: "Parents should never have to wonder whether their kids' school employs and protects sexual predators." Tulare officials asserted their commitment to investigating misconduct reports and ensuring student safety, stating: "The district is committed to providing a safe learning environment for our students." The investigation highlights a national push for accountability in K-12 schools regarding Title IX enforcement.

GOVERNANCE

Election season heats up in SLO

San Luis Obispo County's school districts are gearing up for elections this November, but many positions remain without candidates. As of July 23, the Lucia Mar USD has several open seats, with Andrea Naemi-Vergne and Colleen Martin seeking reelection. However, Area 6 lacks any candidates. San Luis Coastal USD has two candidates for Area 2, while Marilyn Rodger is running for reelection in Area 1. The Cayucos Elementary School District has three seats open, with incumbents Gretchen Ross and Kerry Friend confirming their campaigns. Notably, the Coast Unified, Paso Robles Joint Unified, Pleasant Valley Joint Union, San Miguel Joint Union, and Templeton Unified districts have open seats but no candidates as of now. "Individuals seeking elected office in San Luis Obispo County must submit nomination papers and their declaration of candidacy during the candidate filing period from July 13 through Aug. 7," according to the elections office.

Palo Alto parent runs for school board

Linda Henigin, a dedicated parent and volunteer, is running for a seat on the Palo Alto School Board to advocate for increased teacher pay and to revive a previously rejected parcel tax. "We need to build trust with our community and be really clear about what it would be spent on, and why it's necessary," Henigin said. The Palo Alto teachers' union recently secured a contract that includes a 5% salary increase and bonuses, but Henigin believes the district should not "hoard money for (money's) sake." If elected, she plans to campaign for a parcel tax that could generate $14.5m to support teacher salaries and local programs.

DISTRICTS

Read on, Sonoma! program fournd to boost literacy

The nonprofit program Read On, Sonoma! is significantly enhancing reading culture in Sonoma County elementary schools, reaching 3,352 students across 12 schools this year. Michelle Leisen, the executive director, noted that the program's success is largely due to the 4,900 rewards given to students for achieving their reading goals. These rewards include movie tickets and unique experiences like a flight with Canine Companions puppies. Principal Emily Todd of John B. Riebli Elementary highlighted that 95% of students now meet their reading goals, contributing to improved state test scores in English Language Arts. Guy Fieri, co-founder of the program, expressed surprise at its impact, stating: “When Lawrence Amaturo and I started Read On, Sonoma!, we knew that our county's kids needed some help and encouragement.” The initiative aims to reach half of Sonoma County's elementary students through its Mission 50 campaign.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Summer projects prepare schools for students

As school districts gear up for the new academic year, summer maintenance projects are in full swing. Samuel Precie, Executive Director of Maintenance, Operations, & Transportation at Riverside USD, emphasized the importance of completing these projects while students are away, stating: “Many of these projects require classrooms or building systems to be temporarily unavailable.” The Riverside district has invested over $25m in modernization efforts, including HVAC upgrades and new flooring. Similar initiatives are occurring in Redlands USD, where safety and security systems are being updated at Beattie Middle School. Upland USD is also undertaking significant projects, including HVAC system replacements at Upland High School.

NUTRITION

Popular school menu items exceed upcoming limits on sodium and added sugar

A new study has found that many of the most popular meals served in U.S. school cafeterias will need to be reformulated to comply with updated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition standards taking effect in the 2027-28 school year. Researchers identified commonly served items, including pizza, tacos, nachos, chicken wings, sausage biscuits, breakfast pizzas, muffins, yogurt parfaits, and breakfast smoothies, as containing levels of added sugar or sodium that exceed the forthcoming federal limits. The research, published in Nutrition Reviews, surveyed nearly 1,100 school nutrition professionals to identify the foods students eat most frequently before analyzing recipes to determine which items contained the highest amounts of salt and sugar. Among the findings, chicken wings averaged more than 2,100 milligrams of sodium per serving, nearly reaching the USDA's recommended daily sodium limit of 2,300 milligrams for adults, while popular breakfast items were found to contain significant amounts of added sugar. They recommend replacing excess salt and sugar with herbs, spices, and other flavor enhancers, such as rosemary, thyme, garlic, paprika, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, while using taste testing and student feedback to ensure revised recipes remain popular.

INTERNATIONAL

Saudi Arabia overhauls K-12 education system with landmark new law

Saudi Arabia has approved a new General Education Law that introduces a comprehensive legal framework for K-12 education, aiming to strengthen governance, improve educational outcomes, and support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives. The legislation establishes the General Education Affairs Council, chaired by the Minister of Education, to oversee long-term education policy, admissions, teacher regulations, private and virtual schools, and the academic calendar. It also formalizes responsibilities across the education system and reinforces coordination between government agencies. The law maintains free public education and compulsory schooling from ages six to 15, while giving authorities the power to take legal action against those who prevent children from attending school or contribute to student dropouts. Arabic will remain the primary language of instruction, although additional languages may be used where appropriate. The reforms expand support for e-learning, distance education, lifelong learning, and specialized academic and vocational pathways, while making it easier for students to transfer between academic, technical, and vocational tracks. The legislation also strengthens provisions for students with disabilities, gifted learners, and early childhood education, including accelerated progression for exceptional students.

China to broaden autism screening, rehabilitation, and special education services

China will expand support for people with autism over the 2026-30 period by introducing nationwide early screening and intervention services, increasing rehabilitation capacity, and expanding specialized education as part of its latest five-year plan for people with disabilities. The initiative will provide standardized autism screening and intervention for children from birth to age six, ensure every city-level region can offer rehabilitation services for children with autism, and support provincial capitals and larger cities in establishing dedicated special education schools. The plan is designed to provide lifelong support, covering early diagnosis, rehabilitation, and education. The country has already introduced free education from preschool through high school for children with autism from low-income families. As of April, China had established 61 pilot zones for special education reform and 17 dedicated schools for children with autism, with the new measures intended to further improve access to services and educational support nationwide.

AND FINALLY......

Lunching like a French kid!

Marissa Fortson, a Chinese-American mother, shared her family's transition from Los Angeles to Nice, France, highlighting the stark differences in school lunches. Reflecting on her own childhood meals, she noted: "Growing up in the U.S., I remember eating chicken nuggets, pizza, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese." In contrast, her daughter's French school offers a diverse menu featuring three courses, including salads, main dishes like chicken curry, and desserts such as chocolate mousse. Fortson attributes this difference to France's strong food education culture, emphasizing fresh ingredients and sustainability. The country's EGAlim law mandates that school cafeterias use at least 50% sustainable food, including 20% organic products. "The lunch hour is sacred in France," Fortson said, underscoring the importance of mealtime in the school day. She hopes her daughter will cherish these nutritious meals and develop a lifelong appreciation for good food.
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