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California
12th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Thurmond slams county's fiscal decision

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond criticized the Sacramento County Office of Education's decision to rescind Sacramento City USD's agreement with its teachers union, calling it “illogical” and “questionable behavior.” He argued that the county's actions could lead to increased state oversight of the county office. Thurmond emphasized that the $68m the district could access would improve cash flow without needing repayment, stating, “It seems quite illogical that the county would push the district to accept a state loan.” Despite the district's appeal to restore the agreement aimed at addressing its $222m structural deficit, Thurmond rejected it, insisting that the district must balance its budget. Sacramento County Superintendent David Gordon defended the county's position, stating that the district would eventually need to replace the funds used for retiree health benefits.

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FINANCE

LAUSD leaders tackle budget fears

As Los Anegeles USD schools reopen, district leaders are addressing concerns over a potential budget crisis and significant job cuts. Although county and state officials have temporarily backed off from intervention, they remain wary of the district's ability to implement promised cutbacks. Superintendent Andrés E. Chait emphasized the importance of stability, stating: “Our focus is on maintaining, to the maximum extent possible, stability at the schools.” The district's budget, which totals $20.6bn, includes plans for substantial cuts, including the elimination of $500m in funding for high-need schools, resulting in over 6,000 job losses. Despite the challenges, Chait expressed confidence in the district's capacity to navigate these issues, but concerns about long-term solvency persist, with a potential deficit reaching $3.5bn by 2029.

NATIONAL NEWS

Special education complaints rise 46% across 31 states

Written state complaints involving special education increased 46% across 31 state education agencies, rising from 7,907 in the 2024-25 school year to 11,523 in 2025-26, according to a survey by the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. The organizations said continued underfunding of special education, personnel shortages, and declining confidence in the federal Office for Civil Rights may be contributing to the increase, as families increasingly turn to state-level complaint processes. The federal civil rights office has reduced its workforce and closed seven of its 12 regional offices, including its California office, limiting capacity to investigate discrimination complaints. A Government Accountability Office report found that the office received more than 9,000 complaints between March and September 2025 and resolved 7,072 during that period, primarily by dismissing 90% of them.

Education Department revives research funding

The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences is restarting competitive education research grantmaking after more than 15 months of delays and cancellations, with roughly $250m in fiscal 2027 funding planned across three waves. The new approach will concentrate grants in areas including STEM, literacy, low-incidence disabilities, and workforce transitions, while organizing researchers into hubs designed to create more coordinated bodies of evidence. However, significant funding uncertainty remains: as of June 30, IES still had access to roughly $223m in fiscal 2025 funds that could expire after September 30, while more than $450m in fiscal 2026 funding had yet to be released by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Researchers have welcomed the resumption of grants, but questions remain about whether IES, which lost 161 employees early in the second Trump administration, has sufficient capacity to administer the new programs and prevent previously appropriated funding from lapsing.

CYBERSECURITY

Schools strengthen cybersecurity strategies amid growing AI and data risks

U.S. schools are increasingly moving from reactive cybersecurity measures toward longer-term resilience strategies as ransomware attacks begin to stabilize, although threats remain significant. Confirmed ransomware attacks on U.S. educational institutions declined 9% from 2024 to 2025, while average ransom amounts fell 33%, according to Comparitech, giving IT teams more scope to focus on proactive planning. Schools such as Cityscape Schools in Dallas are adopting structured cybersecurity frameworks, using resources from the Center for Internet Security, and emphasizing executive support, staff training, and data governance. With AI creating new risks around sensitive information, Cityscape has introduced live AI awareness training for employees, while schools are also being urged to regularly review cyber insurance requirements and use state and national cybersecurity resources.

STATE NEWS

Redesigning classrooms for student wellness

California schools are increasingly incorporating quiet spaces, known as calming corners, to help students self-regulate and manage stress. These areas, initially designed for neurodivergent students, are now benefiting a wider range of children. Veronica Jones, a teacher at Pacific Sky Elementary, shared a student's experience: “It was her idea. She went in there, and maybe five minutes later, came back and rejoined the group.” Compton USD recently invested $3.1m in these spaces, aiming to provide all students with access to supportive self-regulation resources. Alicia Weyeneth, director of special education, noted that early feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive.” The movement reflects a shift towards accommodating students' emotional needs, with experts like Janet Barbieri emphasizing its broader benefits for the entire student community.

WORKFORCE

Teachers demand better conditions now

Since November 2025, the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers has been negotiating with the Pajaro Valley USD to achieve goals like smaller class sizes and improved healthcare benefits. Recently, teachers rallied outside the Pajaro Plaza shopping center in Watsonville to protest a proposed cap on healthcare benefits. "We need to ensure our teachers are supported," said a representative during the protest. The ongoing negotiations highlight the urgent need for better working conditions for educators in the district.

GOVERNANCE

Redlands school board delays policy vote

The Redlands USD Board of Education has postponed a vote on a controversial parent notification policy that would require schools to inform parents if their child changes their name or gender. The decision, made by a 3-2 vote, was influenced by legal concerns, as Board President Michele Rendler stated: "Given the evolving legal landscape surrounding these issues, it would be appropriate to postpone consideration until there is greater legal clarity." Critics argue that the policy could endanger transgender students by "outing" them to unsupportive families, while supporters claim it upholds parental rights. The policy may be revisited in the future, but no timeline has been established. Community members expressed their concerns during the meeting, emphasizing the need to focus on student success rather than divisive issues.

Bowers aims for school board

Eric Bowers, an attorney for Sonos and a parent, is running for Trustee Area 1 on the Goleta Union School Board. With Richard Mayer not seeking re-election, Bowers is currently the only candidate on the ballot. He aims to restore programs cut during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as music and PE, and advocates for reducing screen time for younger students. Bowers emphasized the importance of a well-rounded education, stating: “I’m doing this for my kids.” He has received endorsements from local supervisors and school board members. Bowers, who has a background in corporate governance, believes in fostering a culture of good governance and ensuring diverse representation in school libraries. He aims to give parents a voice in district decisions, highlighting that “what happens at the district level affects me.”

EXAMS

Dublin USD schools cap AP exams

Dublin USD has implemented a cap on Advanced Placement (AP) courses to alleviate the intense pressure students face in the college admissions race. Starting this year, high schoolers can take a maximum of four AP or honors classes annually, totaling 11 throughout their high school years, with some exceptions. Experts believe that while the cap may not directly impact college admissions, it aims to reduce stress levels among students. Superintendent Matt Campbell remarked: "High school students are running themselves ragged," highlighting the need for a shift in mindset regarding academic competition. However, some parents remain skeptical about the cap's effectiveness in improving their children's chances at selective universities.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Pasadena schools face outdoor delays

Pasadena USD is facing delays in restoring outdoor areas due to contamination from the Eaton fire. "We have made significant progress, but some campuses will still have outdoor areas under remediation or restoration when school begins," said district officials. The $6.6m remediation project, which started in June, aims to address soil contamination at 11 campuses. While some schools like Cleveland Elementary are nearing completion, others, such as Blair High School, will have marked excavation areas closed off. Community advocates, including Nina Raj from Friends of PUSD Trees, have protested against tree removals, arguing that "removing trees as part of that has never made sense to us." As the school year approaches, efforts to conserve remaining trees will continue amidst ongoing restoration work.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Piner High unveils new classroom building

Piner High School has inaugurated a new two-story classroom building worth approximately $24.4m, accommodating over 300 seventh- and eighth-graders. Principal Andrea Correia described the opening day on August 17 as "a new chapter" for the school, which now serves more than 1,800 students from seventh to 12th grade. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked a significant milestone for Santa Rosa City Schools District, which has faced budget challenges leading to the closure of three middle schools.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Bus driver shortage leaves parents anxious

As the new school year approaches, many families in Lucia Mar USD are facing uncertainty regarding transportation due to a nationwide bus driver shortage. Brittany Quaresma Mendoza, a parent, expressed her concerns, stating: “Our bus is really the only option, and it's just really disappointing that it might not even be an option.” The district has implemented a tiered system for bus pass allocation, prioritizing students with disabilities and other specific needs. However, last year, only 1,453 students received transportation, leaving many families to seek alternative solutions. Lucia Mar spokesperson Amy Jacobs acknowledged the challenge, saying: “Our biggest hurdle has been the search for qualified drivers to join our team.” With the school year looming, parents are anxiously waiting to see if they will secure a bus pass, highlighting the critical need for reliable transportation options.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Speed limits drop in school zones

As California prepares for the 2026-27 school year, new regulations under Assembly Bill 382 are changing speed limits in school zones. Local governments can now set a 15 mph limit in certain areas with posted speeds of 30 mph or less, and a 25 mph limit for drivers approaching a school zone from 500 to 1,000 feet away. “After this date, the speed limit will be 20 mph in school zones when proper signage is posted,” said the California Highway Patrol. These limits apply when children are present, and drivers must adhere to them even if children are not visible. Violating these limits can result in fines and points on a driving record.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Parents drowning in school debt

Back-to-school shopping has become a year-round financial strain for many families, with 60% of parents currently carrying school-related debt. A recent survey by Accredited Debt Relief revealed that 89% of parents feel financial pressure from school costs, with 39% experiencing this pressure before the school year even begins. Notably, 86% of parents with over $1,000 in school debt plan to spend at least another $1,000 per child this fall. "School costs have grown in both size and scope," said the report, highlighting the ongoing cycle of debt that families face. Many parents are forced to make financial trade-offs, such as postponing savings or cutting back on essentials, to manage their school-related expenses. As the financial burden continues, families may need to reassess their budgeting strategies to break free from this cycle.

INTERNATIONAL

Afghanistan’s education ban has excluded 2.4m girls from school

An estimated 2.4m Afghan girls have been barred from secondary education since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, according to UNESCO, making Afghanistan the only country where girls and women are formally prohibited from secondary and higher education. Secondary schools were closed to girls in March 2022, followed by a ban on women attending universities that December, with both restrictions remaining in place despite initially being described as temporary. UNESCO estimates the education bans could push 600,000 Afghan women out of the workforce by 2066, result in $9.6bn in cumulative income losses, increase the risk of early marriage, and contribute to a shortage of more than 11,000 qualified female teachers by 2030. The restrictions are adding to broader strains on Afghanistan’s education system, where more than 2m primary-age children are already out of school for other reasons, more than 90% of 10-year-olds cannot read a simple text, and nearly half of schools lack water, sanitation, or heating.

South African education leaders call for Mathematical Literacy to be scrapped

Former South African Education Minister Naledi Pandor has called for the country to rethink Mathematical Literacy, arguing that the subject has encouraged students to abandon core mathematics and reduced overall participation in the subject. Pandor said Mathematical Literacy should instead provide basic numerical skills to all students, while alternative levels of mathematics could accommodate students with different abilities. Her position aligns with former mathematics education professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, who has argued that Mathematical Literacy offers limited value for university admission and creates incentives for schools to move struggling students away from mathematics to improve overall performance.
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