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A California School Boards Association initiative aimed at narrowing the state’s student achievement gap has suffered a major setback after three of its four bills were rejected by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposals sought greater state accountability for disparities of 30 percentage points or more between low- and high-income students, and between Black and Latino students and their Asian and white peers. The rejected measures would have required an independent annual review of California’s school improvement system, created a dashboard assessing state leaders’ progress in closing achievement gaps, and established an 18-member commission to identify effective practices. Only Assembly Bill 2225 remains alive, proposing a working group to improve coordination among state agencies responsible for student outcomes. The bills had previously attracted strong legislative support and no registered opposition, leaving supporters questioning why they were halted without a public explanation. One possibility is that the proposals overlapped with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recently approved overhaul of California’s education governance system, which will shift management of the Department of Education to a governor-appointed education commissioner in 2027. The commissioner will also be responsible for recommending ways to streamline education oversight and school improvement.

 

EdSource

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is evaluating the E-Rate program, which provides broadband discounts to over 96,000 schools nationwide. Kelly May-Vollmer, superintendent of Desert Sands Unified, emphasized the program's importance, stating: “You and I don't schedule time to go to a computer lab.” The review has raised concerns among education leaders about potential funding cuts, especially for high-poverty districts that rely on E-Rate for up to 90% savings on internet costs. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr noted the review aims to ensure the program meets current educational needs. Critics, including Keith Kruger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking, argue that the initial questions posed by the FCC are overwhelming and could jeopardize essential connectivity for schools. The deadline for public comments is October 13, with replies due by November 12.

 

The Bakersfield

In a significant move, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), representing 1.8m members, has initiated a boycott against Target due to the retailer's failure to denounce increased immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities. The AFT, in collaboration with the AFL-CIO, stated, "This back-to-school season, we are asking members to skip shopping at Target." The boycott aims to redirect billions in back-to-school spending away from the Minneapolis-based company. Randi Weingarten, AFT president, expressed disappointment over Target's lack of response to her outreach to CEO Michael Fiddelke. The AFT's resolution urges members to support local businesses instead, highlighting ongoing concerns about ICE's presence in the community. This boycott follows previous backlash against Target for rolling back diversity initiatives.

 

The Modesto Bee

The Modesto Bee

As the school year approaches, teachers are increasingly spending their own money on classroom supplies due to budget cuts. According to Alison Bliss, a seventh-grade history teacher: “I don't know any teacher that does not have to spend hundreds of dollars outside of their own money, to furnish their classrooms.” Since 2015, teacher out-of-pocket spending has surged by 49%, with the average teacher now spending nearly $900 annually. The National Teacher Survey reveals that 97% of teachers feel their budget is insufficient, with a median supply budget of only $200. To help, parents can contribute essential items like Kleenex and No. 2 pencils, which often run out first. Teachers are also exploring funding opportunities through crowdfunding and organizations like Donors Choose.

 

The Sacramento Bee

The San Luis Coastal USD is advocating for future funding from PG&E if the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant remains operational in San Luis Obispo County. Following budget cuts and discussions about the plant's closure, the district's resolution emphasizes the need for compensation, stating: “California should not ask the children of this community to subsidize a statewide energy decision.” Although an agreement secured $16.6m for local schools over two years, the district insists that this is just a starting point. They are requesting the restoration of their previous $10m annual income and additional resources for emergency preparedness. The district argues that any continued operations of Diablo Canyon must be accompanied by community funding, labeling the lack of support as “shortsighted public policy.”

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

During the latest meeting of the Ventura USD's School Closure Advisory Committee, a list of elementary schools under consideration for potential closure was discussed. VUSD Public Information Officer Marieanne Quiroz confirmed that "no school closures will take place prior to the 2027-28 school year." The committee's discussions reflect ongoing concerns about the future of local education.

 

Ojai Valley News

During a recent Palo Alto USD board meeting, parent Candice Wei presented a petition with over 200 signatures advocating for stricter technology restrictions in schools. Wei, along with other parents like Tilli Bannett, who questioned the evidence supporting technology use in classrooms, expressed concerns about the impact of digital devices on children's learning and mental health. Bannett stated: “I came here to ask of you, where is the evidence for your technology?” The movement for more analog learning is gaining momentum, especially in Silicon Valley, where parents are increasingly vocal about limiting tech in education. The district has already implemented cellphone bans for younger students, but parents are pushing for further restrictions on AI and digital learning tools. 

 

San Francisco Chronicle

Pacific Drive Elementary has launched the "Breakfast in the Classroom" initiative, providing free meals to over 600 students. This program allows students to enjoy breakfast, including options like baked goods and breakfast pockets, while teachers take attendance or make announcements. Superintendent Gretchen Janson emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating: "Programs like Breakfast in the Classroom are possible because of the care and commitment of our Nutrition Services staff." The program is part of a broader effort to enhance school meals, supported by over $52,000 in grant funding from No Kid Hungry. This initiative follows similar programs at Commonwealth and Reichman Elementary schools, aiming to ensure students are nourished and ready to learn.

 

The Orange Country Register

Rafael Vásquez, a Santa Monica native and coauthor of "Culturally Responsive Schooling for Indigenous Mexican Students," expressed his joy at seeing his book in the Santa Monica Public Library, declaring: "It truly feels like a full-circle moment, and it means a lot to me." The book, coauthored with William Pérez, aims to address the unique challenges faced by Indigenous Mexican students in educational settings. Vásquez emphasized the importance of recognizing students' diverse identities, saying: "If schools don't recognize these differences, they may not have the information, language support, or cultural understanding needed to serve these students well." Pérez added that accurate data is crucial for understanding student experiences and addressing inequities. The book emerged from a three-year study focusing on multilingual students and aims to foster better educational practices for Indigenous communities.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

Back-to-school shopping is projected to reach a record high in 2026, with families expected to spend an average of $863.86, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). This marks a slight increase from $858.07 in 2025. Total spending for K-12 shopping is estimated at $43.3 bn. Notably, electronics remain the largest expense at $293.11 per student, while shoe costs have risen to $174.01. "64% of shoppers expect to see higher prices this year," indicating a growing concern among parents. To manage costs, families are advised to plan ahead, utilize cash-back programs, and compare prices across stores. Early planning and patience for sales can help mitigate the financial impact of back-to-school shopping.

 

The Fresno Bee

As the school year approaches, ensuring your child has a thorough physical and sports physical is crucial. Smita Malhotra, MD, FAAP, emphasizes that these annual visits provide a comprehensive overview of a child's health, allowing for early detection of potential issues. "When we invest in children's health, we're investing in everything that follows: their learning, their confidence, their resilience, and their future," she said. These checkups also address emotional well-being and ensure compliance with immunization requirements, which are vital for protecting both individual students and the community. Additionally, sports physicals are recommended for all children, not just athletes, to promote overall wellness and safe participation in physical activities.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

UC Berkeley-affiliated startups have generated over $300m in regional value, according to a report from the Institute of Business Innovation at the Haas School of Business. The study reveals that these startups support more than 500 jobs in Berkeley, with average salaries reaching $216,000. Asha Gupta, a UC Berkeley student and co-author of the study, said: “What we really wanted to understand was how specific aspects of Berkeley as a city incentivized founders to either stay here, move here, or to leave.” The report highlights the importance of campus-facilitated startup accelerators, such as Bakar Bio Labs, which provide essential resources for entrepreneurs. Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer Darren Cooke emphasized the role of the Bakar Faculty Fellows awards in commercializing fundamental discoveries, stating: “One of the ways to provide long-term societal benefits is getting fundamental discoveries out into the world.” Plans to expand the UC Berkeley Innovation Zone are underway, with a new building set to open in 2028.

 

The Daily Californian

Education Cannot Wait, a United Nations fund administered under UNICEF rules, has committed $22m in new multi-year funding to restore safe, inclusive education for children affected by Sudan’s civil war. The conflict has displaced at least 14m people and left about 8m children, nearly half of the country’s school-age population, out of school, with some students missing almost 500 days of education. The program will support displaced children, refugees, and vulnerable host communities, providing formal and non-formal learning opportunities, as well as mental health and psychosocial services. At least 60% of beneficiaries will be girls, and 10% will be children with disabilities. An additional $5m will remain flexible to respond to new conflicts, disasters, or climate-related emergencies. Save the Children will lead implementation alongside local partners, with 48% of the budget allocated to national and local organizations. The $22m commitment provides initial funding toward the program’s total requirement of $39m.

 

The Tribune