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California
18th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Immunization rates drop among kindergartners

The number of U.S. kindergartners starting school without full immunization is on the rise, as families increasingly opt out of vaccinations despite ongoing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of children fully up-to-date on their immunizations fell in 2025, with exemptions reaching a record 4.2%. This decline is concerning, especially as the nation faces the highest measles infection levels in three decades. "Vaccination levels for measles held up in some of the hardest hit states," but overall, the national rate for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations dropped to 92.4%, below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. The situation is further complicated by recent political actions, including President Donald Trump's executive order to alter the childhood vaccine schedule, which could lead to confusion and missed immunizations.

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:
  • Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  • Best practices for educator training
  • Instructional strategies and tips
  • Key benefits for you, students, and staff
Download the FlexPoint® guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.

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NATIONAL NEWS

States avoid immediate funding overhaul as Education Department retains G5 system

The U.S. Department of Education will distribute more than $12.5bn in K-12 formula funding through its existing G5 grants system on October 1, despite the Trump administration’s broader effort to transfer responsibility for many education programs to other federal agencies. The funding includes $10.8bn in Title I grants for schools serving low-income students and $1.7bn for teacher professional development, while competitive grants will be handled by the agencies to which their programs have been transferred. State education leaders welcomed the decision, citing concerns that an abrupt switch to the Department of Labor’s system could disrupt access to funding after previous transitions experienced delays. However, the administration’s wider restructuring continues, and education officials have warned that using multiple federal grants platforms could create additional complexity and inefficiency.

FCC weighs E-rate changes as debate grows over connectivity and screen time

The Federal Communications Commission has opened public comment on proposed changes to the 30-year-old E-rate program, which provides discounted internet services to schools and libraries, including whether the program should be limited or phased out given widespread connectivity. The FCC is also seeking feedback on whether E-rate funding should be tied to schools giving parents an opportunity to opt their children out of screen-based instruction, amid concerns about growing technology use in classrooms. E-rate advocates argue that the program, which provided nearly 25,000 schools, districts, consortiums, and libraries with $13.2bn between 2021 and 2025, remains essential for affordable, reliable connectivity, and does not fund student devices or educational content. The public comment period closes October 13.

STATE NEWS

Barrera aims for education reform

Richard Barrera, the San Diego USD school board president, is campaigning to succeed Tony Thurmond as California's Superintendent of Public Instruction. Barrera, who has a long history in education advocacy, emphasizes the importance of public schools, stating: “I know it's the public schools that have to deliver, if we're going to honor the sacrifice that our families are making.” His leadership has led to significant investments in school facilities, with voters approving $11.5bn in tax revenue for improvements. Barrera aims to continue building coalitions to enhance education statewide, focusing on holistic approaches that include arts and vocational training. Despite his support from the California Teachers Association, some critics question his motives, suggesting he may politicize the role further. Barrera's campaign has raised over $470,000, and he is positioned favorably in a historically Democratic state. He aims to elevate local voices in education policy decisions in Sacramento.

LEGAL

Parents sue over mosque field trip

A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against Palo Alto USD regarding a 2025 field trip to a mosque, where students learned about Islam. The lawsuit, initiated by the Community Members for Religious Neutrality in Public Schools – San Francisco Bay Area, claims that the district failed to maintain religious neutrality and protect student privacy. During the trip, students received Qurans, were encouraged to wear hijabs, and observed prayers, which the lawsuit argues was inappropriate. The group is seeking monetary damages and an acknowledgment of violations of California law. Jason Glass, the district superintendent, stated that the district had not yet received court papers and emphasized that instruction about religion should be academic, not devotional. Zahra Billoo, the controversial speaker during the trip, defended the event, saying it was a valuable experience for students. "Any 'exposure' to me was my first-hand experience as an American Muslim woman," she said.

Fresno teachers demand FTA trustee's resignation

The Fresno Teachers Association (FTA) is calling for Trustee Keshia Thomas to resign following new revelations in a defamation lawsuit involving her and former Bullard High School coach Don Arax. FTA President Manuel Bonilla stated: "We're calling on her to resign because the foundation for any public service position is trust." The lawsuit stems from Thomas' claim that Arax used a racial slur against her son, which her son, Albert Alford Jr., later contradicted, stating he never informed her of such an incident. The FTA highlighted the financial burden on Fresno USD, which has already spent approximately $350,000 in legal fees, emphasizing that "money spent on legal costs... is money that cannot support students." Thomas is also running for Fresno City Council, facing Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, with the FTA backing Arambula's campaign.

FINANCE

Santa Rosa schools face drastic cuts

Santa Rosa City Schools is grappling with significant changes due to a prolonged fiscal crisis, which has led to a budget deficit of approximately $236m. The district has made severe cuts to special education services, which have increased by 70% from 2016 to 2025, now totaling nearly $72m. As classes resume, these cuts are expected to affect around 20% of students enrolled in special education programs. Kathryn Howell, President of the Santa Rosa Teachers Association, expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the new plan, stating: "The absolute bottom line is the plan the district office has presented to us will not work if there are not enough instructional aides." Parents like Dwayne Siler are worried about the future of their children’s education, fearing they may need to transfer to other districts for better resources. The district is attempting to implement a new support system, but many remain skeptical about its effectiveness.

WORKFORCE

Unionized ASL interpreters secure first contract

After two years of negotiations, unionized American Sign Language interpreters at Clovis USD have reached their first collective bargaining agreement. The contract, approved by the district's governing board, includes a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment retroactive to April 1 and a 5% pay raise starting in the 2026-27 school year. However, the agreement does not provide interpreters with the same pay raises as non-unionized educators, leading to concerns about retention. “I think that there was frustration,” said Kamryn Hermosillo, an educational interpreter, highlighting ongoing issues with compensation. The agreement also includes improvements such as the creation of full-time signing aid positions and access to professional development training. Despite the progress, interpreters express disappointment over the disparity in retroactive pay compared to other employee groups.

DISTRICTS

Fresno schools shine in new rankings

As students return to school in Fresno County, families are eager to know about the quality of education available. Niche's 2026 Best Schools in America rankings evaluated schools based on academics, diversity, teachers, and college preparation. Hume Lake Charter School topped the rankings for public elementary and middle schools, receiving an A+ grade. University High School was recognized as the premier public high school in the county, with 82% of students proficient in math and 95% in reading. The rankings also highlighted Kingsburg Joint UHSD as the top school district in the area.

Top schools in SLO County revealed

In 2026, Niche ranked Cayucos Elementary School as the best public elementary school in San Luis Obispo County, achieving an overall A grade. The school, with 185 students, excelled in academics, diversity, and teacher quality, boasting 68% reading proficiency and 56% in math. "About 62.7% of students at the school identify as white and 27.6% identify as Hispanic," the report noted. For middle schools, Laguna Middle School was highlighted as the top choice, while Central Coast New Tech High School in Nipomo was recognized as the best public high school, receiving an A+ grade. Niche's rankings are based on various factors, including academics, diversity, and college preparation.

PUSD students and teachers return to classrooms

Students and teachers in the Pasadena USD returned to classrooms yesterday, marking the start of the new school year. Principal Reyna Uka of Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School expressed her excitement, saying: “It's just very exciting to see faces again.” The district faced challenges over the summer, including soil remediation at several campuses due to contamination from the Eaton fire. Despite these issues, Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco noted that the district is committed to supporting teachers and classrooms, stating: “That's always the first priority that we have for the school district.” The return to school was celebrated with enthusiasm, as students engaged with their peers and school mascots, fostering a sense of community and support.

TECHNOLOGY

Retiring CoSN chief urges thoughtful AI adoption

Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) chief executive Keith Krueger, who will step down in April 2027 after more than 30 years with the organization, says artificial intelligence (AI) represents a transformative shift for K-12 education, but its success will depend on how educators, administrators, and policymakers use it. Krueger acknowledged legitimate concerns around screen time, social media, and digital distractions, but argued that policymakers should focus on the quality and educational impact of technology rather than imposing broad limits based on screen time alone. He also called for technology vendors to act as strategic partners, emphasized the growing need for district technology leaders to combine technical, educational, and policy expertise, and identified protecting the federal E-rate program as a priority for his remaining months at CoSN. Krueger warned that school connectivity remains essential not only for instruction, but also for operations including payroll, transportation, security, and student information systems.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

New school opens, excitement soars

On Monday, San Francisco celebrated the opening of Mission Bay Elementary School, welcoming 38,000 students for the first day of classes. The new school, which has been in development for nearly three decades, features modern facilities and innovative designs, contrasting sharply with older schools in the district. Mayor Daniel Lurie expressed optimism, stating: "This neighborhood is on the rise, and a new school is exactly the kind of investment that will help families put down roots here." The school aims to accommodate 550 students by 2032 and includes a dedicated space for high school students interested in STEM fields. Despite challenges such as declining enrollment and potential school closures, the atmosphere on the first day was filled with hope and excitement.

Excitement builds at new charter school

MacArthur Park Charter School in Sonoma opened its doors this week, welcoming around 200 K-5 students, 10 teachers, and 10 staff members. Located at 342 E. MacArthur St., the school replaces the closed Prestwood Elementary School. Sarah Robertson, chairperson of the school's board, expressed her excitement, saying: "After so much planning and hard work, it is wonderful to see MacArthur Park Charter School coming to life." The school aims to foster a strong community and will eventually expand to include grades six through eight.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Transforming schoolyards into green havens

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is transforming schoolyards across the U.S. into vibrant community spaces, with 420 schoolyards revamped in 26 states. At a recent summit, Mary Alice Lee, director of TPL's NYC Playgrounds Program, emphasized, "The users are the designers," highlighting student involvement in the design process. These redesigned spaces not only enhance play but also address climate challenges, with features like porous pavement and green roofs to mitigate flooding. Danielle Denk, TPL's community schoolyards initiative director, noted the importance of keeping schoolyards open after hours, fostering community ownership. However, disparities in access to green spaces persist, particularly in low-income areas. New York City councilmember Shekar Krishnan stressed that schoolyards are essential for community cohesion, stating, "It's not that park space and green space is a luxury or privilege for some. It's a right for all of us."

INTERNATIONAL

Victorian educators endorse new pay deal, averting third statewide strike

Victorian public school teachers, principals, and support staff have backed a new state government pay and conditions offer, prompting the cancellation of a third statewide strike planned for Wednesday. The Australian Education Union said 79% of voting members endorsed the agreement, which provides a minimum 28.3% pay increase over four years and a A$2,000 ($1,424) bonus when the deal begins. Under the agreement, graduate teacher salaries will rise from A$79,589 to A$96,589 from November 2027, while experienced teachers will earn A$151,419 by 2029, up from A$118,063 currently. After-school meeting hours will also be halved to 40 annually, while existing maximum face-to-face teaching hours will be secured in the agreement. The deal will now go to a vote of all employees, with the state government expecting it could be endorsed by October. The union will continue pressing the government to reach an agreement with the Commonwealth to fully fund Victoria’s public schools.
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