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California
28th August 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California student homelessness hits record

Nearly 300,000 K-12 students in California experienced homelessness during the 2024-25 school year, reaching a record high of more than 298,000, according to a UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools report. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native students were disproportionately affected, with one in 12 identified as homeless, while many districts with the highest numbers were concentrated in Southern California. Although suspension and chronic absenteeism rates among homeless students have declined, they remain significantly higher than for the overall student population, and homeless students continue to record lower math and reading proficiency and graduation rates. Researchers said the statewide figure is likely an undercount because it only includes students who were formally identified as experiencing homelessness.

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GOVERNANCE

Thurmond fights for oversight powers

California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond urged lawmakers to reject a proposal that would limit his fiscal oversight authority, calling it "rushed and unnecessary." He emphasized that the ongoing issues with Sacramento City USD do not warrant a change to the state's oversight system. "Nothing happening in Sacramento demonstrates that California's fiscal oversight system is broken or requires an emergency change in state law," Thurmond said. The proposal, backed by the California County Superintendents Association, aims to amend Education Code Section 42127.6(k) to require additional approvals before the state superintendent can assume oversight duties. Thurmond warned that he may intervene if the county office fails to address Sacramento City USD's $222m deficit. Meanwhile, Kindra Britt from the superintendents' association argued that the proposal addresses broader issues beyond the local dispute.

Candidate accused of misleading voters

A candidate for the Palo Alto School Board, Linda Henigin, faces allegations of misrepresenting her qualifications on the ballot. Parent Virginia Noh filed a lawsuit claiming Henigin falsely labeled herself as a math teacher, despite only holding a “multiple subject” credential that does not qualify her to teach math independently. Noh stated: “It gives her a level of credibility that's unwarranted,” emphasizing the importance of honesty in educational roles. Noh is seeking a court ruling to remove Henigin from the ballot before the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters' deadline. Henigin, who works as a classroom aide, has not responded to the allegations or requests for comment. She is running against Avery Wang and John Craig, with Noh supporting Wang, who has been vocal about math education issues in the district.

Clovis USD board stays steady

Following November's election, the Clovis USD governing board will remain unchanged, as all three incumbents are running unopposed. With a student population of 43,200, Clovis Unified is the 11th-largest school district in California and enjoys a stable financial position, unlike many other districts facing budget shortfalls. Clinton Olivier, Tiffany Stoker Madsen, and Deena Combs-Flores shared their goals for the next term. Olivier emphasized the need to improve test scores post-pandemic, stating: “There’s still some recovery to be done in terms of getting those test scores back up.” Madsen, a board member since 2018, aims to prioritize local control and transparency, while Combs-Flores plans to advocate for parental rights and support new funding for school facilities. The district's unique non-unionized status may soon change as over a thousand teachers filed a union petition this summer.

FINANCE

CalPERS stands firm on funds

The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) has confirmed it will not require the Sacramento City USD to return approximately $20.6m withdrawn from its retiree health fund. Amy Morgan, a CalPERS spokesperson, said: “CalPERS is not requesting that the Sacramento City USD return the funds disbursed from the CERBT since the district followed the appropriate disbursement request process.” This decision comes amid a fiscal crisis for the district, which is seeking $150m in financial solutions by June 2027. District trustee Jasjit Singh expressed satisfaction with CalPERS' stance, emphasizing that the funds are essential for addressing the district's insolvency gap. However, fiscal expert Michael Fine criticized CalPERS, suggesting that the agreement was invalid and that the district may eventually need to return the funds. Singh has urged the county office to reverse its rescission of the agreement, highlighting the need for a long-term financial solution.

WORKFORCE

Teachers union strikes deal with district

The Pajaro Valley USD and the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers reached a tentative agreement after months of negotiations, avoiding a potential strike. Brandon Diniz, president of the union, expressed gratitude for the solidarity among members, stating, “I’ve been inspired by the solidarity that I’ve seen during my time as president.” The agreement includes a 4% salary increase, optional paid teacher workdays, and support for kindergarten instructional aides. Importantly, it maintains the current healthcare benefits structure, which was a major concern for union members. Superintendent Heather Contreras noted that the agreement required “hard work, open dialogue, and meaningful compromise from both sides.” The deal will now go to the union membership for ratification and the school board for final approval.

STEM

After-school STEM access expands

STEM learning has become increasingly common in after-school programs, with 92% of parents whose children participate reporting access to science, technology, engineering, or math activities, up from 73% in 2020 and 69% in 2014, according to an Afterschool Alliance survey of 30,000 parents and guardians. About 6.4m of the 7m children enrolled in after-school programs now have regular STEM opportunities, including hands-on activities designed to build curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. However, another 22.6m children whose parents want after-school programming cannot access it because of barriers including cost and limited capacity. The report calls for expanded funding, particularly in underserved and rural communities, and recommends including after-school providers in legislation designed to promote STEM education.

TECHNOLOGY

OpenAI's education strategy heats up

OpenAI is expanding its ChatGPT for Teachers program to 55 additional school systems across 20 states, reaching over 300,000 educators. Leah Belsky, OpenAI's vice president of education, emphasized that the offering focuses on control rather than access, providing districts with role-based permissions and administrative oversight. The introduction of a 16-state National Data Privacy Agreement simplifies the evaluation process for schools, allowing them to assess ChatGPT against a shared checklist. OpenAI's strategy aims to build long-term habits among educators, as the free service is set to remain available until June 2028. However, the challenge will be maintaining user loyalty once the service transitions to a paid model, as teachers may switch to tools already provided by their employers.  

AI's role in modern education

As the new school year approaches, the integration of AI in classrooms is becoming a pressing topic. Parents are primarily concerned with whether AI will aid their children's learning. A survey from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation revealed that 76% of parents support some use of AI in education, with 42% believing its greatest promise lies in personalizing learning. Shelby Doyle, senior vice president at the foundation, emphasized that parents want schools to prioritize thoughtful decisions that enhance student learning. With 35 states providing guidance on AI in K-12 education, the focus is shifting from whether to use AI to how to implement it responsibly. As AI tools become commonplace, parents seek reliable information to navigate these changes, ensuring that AI serves as a beneficial resource for their children's education.

POLICY

Pride flag fight heats up

Organizers are advocating for the pride flag to be flown year-round at Sonoma Valley High School, despite district efforts to regulate flag displays. Wake UP Sonoma is urging residents to attend the Sonoma Valley USD board meeting on September 10 to support this initiative. Following the flag's controversial removal earlier this year, the board is considering options for flag policies, including a proposal from Superintendent Jason Sutter. “Our kids deserve to feel safe, welcomed, and valued at school,” said Deanna Glory, a lead organizer. The group emphasizes that the pride flag symbolizes support for LGBTQIA+ students and calls for broader measures, including training for school staff.

DISTRICTS

Pasadena USD schools earn top honors

Four schools in the Pasadena USD have received state recognition for their efforts in fostering positive school environments and providing essential behavioral and social-emotional support. Madison Elementary, John Muir Early College Magnet High School, and Rose City High School achieved Platinum-level honors, while Pasadena High School earned Gold-level recognition from the California PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Coalition. Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said, “These awards honor the model work happening in our schools to support students' social-emotional wellness.” The district's focus on Behavior Response to Intervention (RTI) aims to identify students early and provide increasing tiers of support to promote positive behavior. The recognized schools will be honored at the annual California PBIS Conference in October.

YMCA boosts education with $1,000 donation

The YMCA of the Foothills has donated $1,000 to the Verdugo Hills High School Academy of Advanced Studies to enhance educational opportunities for students. This contribution will fund new books, academic resources, and college writing workshops aimed at preparing students for future success.

School reclaims its original name

Cesar Chavez School in Oxnard has reverted to its original name, Juanita Academy of Literacy, Communication Arts and Technology. The school was initially named Juanita Elementary School from 1951 to 1993, before being renamed in honor of farmworkers' rights activist Cesar Chavez after his death. The change reflects a return to the school's historical roots, emphasizing its commitment to literacy and communication.

INTERNATIONAL

Cuba's schools open amid crisis

Cuba is set to begin its school year next week, despite facing a severe crisis impacting transportation, electricity, and teacher shortages. Education Minister Naima Trujillo said: "Cuba's educators are aware of the extraordinary impacts of the collective asphyxiation we are suffering ... so this will be a school year whose greatest victory will be that we are able to carry it out at all." Nearly 1.4m children will return to school, but teacher coverage has dropped to 73% due to emigration and better job opportunities. To address staffing shortages, the government plans to hire university students and retirees, while also encouraging schools to accept students in "comfortable clothes" due to a lack of uniforms.
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