Become more informed in minutes....

California lawmakers passed Senate Bill 577, a compromise intended to preserve survivors’ ability to sue public institutions over childhood sexual assault while easing some financial pressure on schools and local governments. The measure rejects damage caps but raises the evidentiary standard for certain survivors over 40 and older cases involving destroyed records, requiring “clear and convincing” evidence and proof that an institution had actual knowledge of abuse. Public agencies must also adopt prevention plans by 2028, while attorneys bringing claims in bad faith could face $25,000 fines. Sen. John Laird said the legislation shows lawmakers “have strived to maintain balance.” Survivor advocates remain divided, with some praising the compromise and others warning the tougher evidence standard could prevent older survivors from obtaining justice.

 

Cal Matters

Choose the Right Digital Curriculum

How do you determine which digital courses will meet your students’ and teachers’ needs best? Get expert answers to your digital curriculum questions in the free Digital Curriculum Buyer’s Guide from FlexPoint^®. While you learn how to identify quality digital courses, you’ll complete worksheets that will offer a clear path toward your goals. These insights, tips, and more are vital to making the right purchasing decisions for your school or district.

Download Free Guide

 

California lawmakers are considering Assembly Bill 2017, which would formally recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha and give state employees more flexibility to observe the Muslim holidays using existing paid holiday credits. Public schools and community colleges could also close for Eid and hold educational exercises about the holidays. Assemblymember Matt Haney said Muslim Californians should be “seen, valued, and treated with the same dignity” as other communities. Supporters say the measure would reduce conflicts between religious observance, school and work obligations. Critics, including the California Family Council, object to provisions allowing schools to celebrate Eid and develop related curriculum, arguing other religious holidays lack equivalent treatment.

 

Fox News

California County Superintendents has called for the introduction of emergency legislation to block the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, or his successors from unilaterally assuming monitoring authority over districts facing potential insolvency. The call has been triggered by Thurmond's threat to assume monitoring authority over Sacramento City USD, with the county superintendents' organisation warning that doing so would undermine the county-based system that has succeeded in keeping districts from becoming insolvent.

 

The Sacramento Observer

Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for California governor, proposes a unique approach to limit smartphone access for children. He aims to implement a “Wait Until 8th” contract in schools, encouraging parents to delay giving their kids smartphones until they enter high school. “We are not against technology; we need to protect childhood,” Hilton said during a recent event. The initiative seeks to shift social norms, making it less common for children to have smartphones at a young age. Hilton also supports the Phone-Free Schools Act, which limits smartphone use in classrooms. He believes that by creating a collective agreement among parents, children will feel less pressure to own smartphones. Additionally, Hilton plans to engage with tech companies to promote basic cell phones for kids. His campaign emphasizes the need for a societal shift regarding smartphone use among youth, stating that “everyone knows that children will find ways to evade measures” unless the focus is on the devices themselves.

 

Daily Breeze

School districts and states are introducing tighter technology policies amid concerns that excessive screen time is affecting student focus, mental health, and academic performance. Connecticut has encouraged schools to adopt bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions, while Florida’s Hillsborough and Pasco counties are emphasizing hands-on learning and more intentional technology use. Hillsborough plans to limit instructional technology in younger grades to create more opportunities for movement, peer interaction, and practical learning, while allowing greater technology use as students approach college and careers. The changes come as a survey found that more than 40% of K-12 teachers believe students’ ability to focus has declined over the past five years, while 86% are concerned about worsening student mental health. Educators are also reassessing artificial intelligence (AI), with trust in general-purpose AI chatbots falling 33% in favor of AI integrated into education platforms. School leaders are being encouraged to avoid blanket technology bans, tailor restrictions by students’ developmental stages, emphasize the quality of technology use, and strengthen digital literacy.

 

District Administration

As extreme heat becomes more common due to climate change, schools are failing to adequately prepare for its impact on students. Nicole Barnes, executive lead psychologist for the American Psychological Association, said, "When people think about heat, they think of it as a comfort problem," but the consequences extend beyond discomfort, affecting children's cognition and health. Research shows that high temperatures can lead to a 10% increase in failure rates on exams like the Regents in New York City. The APA suggests that schools treat heat like a "snow day for cognition," advocating for better adaptation plans that consider the learning environment and vulnerable students. Effective strategies could include modifying schedules and ensuring all school areas are cool, not just classrooms.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Clovis Unified educators are making strides toward unionization by filing an intervention petition with the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). This comes as the Independent Clovis Unified Educators (ICUE) seeks recognition after gathering over a thousand signatures. However, the Association of Clovis Educators (ACE) has raised objections, claiming ICUE's petition is "suspicious" due to its ties to a private law firm. Amy Kilburn, president of ACE, expressed concerns about ICUE's leadership and its exclusion of part-time educators. Meanwhile, Tony Silva, a labor representative for ICUE, defended their approach, stating: "ICUE aims to guard wholeheartedly the culture of CUSD while still operating as a legally recognized representative body." The PERB will ultimately decide on the eligibility of the union, which could lead to a vote among teachers.

 

The Fresno Bee

Mount Diablo USD is grappling with significant financial losses due to the failure of its solar energy system, which is currently operating at only 60% capacity. Melanie Koslow, the district's executive director of Maintenance, Operations and Facilities, said: “What we have learned from this assessment is the cost of our systems being down is significant.” The district has lost approximately 7,860 kilowatts of electricity, leading to an estimated additional $2m in energy costs annually. The original solar project, installed in 2010 by SunPower Corporation, was expected to save the district $192.5m over 30 years, but the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2024. The district is now seeking assistance from Capital Engineering to assess the financial impact and develop a recovery plan.

 

East Bay

Santa Monica College (SMC) has temporarily halted its search for a new superintendent/president due to "unforeseen circumstances," according to Tre'Shawn Hall-Baker, Ph.D., Vice President of Human Resources. The search committee, which included various stakeholders, had completed its work just weeks prior. Hall-Baker said: "Since the committee completed its work, unforeseen circumstances have required us to temporarily pause the recruitment process." This pause comes as SMC grapples with significant financial challenges, including a $7.6m structural deficit and declining enrollment. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges has flagged SMC as "at-risk," citing multiple fiscal issues. The college's current president, Kathryn E. Jeffery, is set to retire on December 31, 2026, and the Board of Trustees remains committed to finding a suitable replacement while evaluating the search process.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

N.W.T. Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland says the territory is continuing to press Ottawa to address a C$58.6m ($42.1m) education funding shortfall caused by changes to Jordan’s Principle, which have resulted in fewer staff across N.W.T. schools, including 13 teaching positions cut in Inuvik. The territorial government has allocated more than C$45m in additional education funding this year, including C$33m for inclusive schooling, as it works to stabilize schools and review its funding formula. Cleveland acknowledged that the new territorial funding does not fully replace the previous federal support but said further spending decisions need to be based on evidence about how Jordan’s Principle funding had been used. She said the N.W.T. will continue increasing its own support rather than wait for Ottawa, while maintaining that the federal government has a responsibility to help resolve the funding gap across all three territories.

 

CBC News

Plato's Closet's "Find the Fit that Fits You" campaign reveals that confidence, rather than trends, is shaping back-to-school fashion choices among teens. Lisa Hake, chief marketing officer at Winmark, stated: "Back to school is a time when teens are thinking about how they want to show up, and feeling confident in their own style is a big part of that." The campaign featured a hidden school hallway simulator, allowing teens to test their outfits in a realistic setting, which boosted their confidence. Blake Hudson, an 18-year-old senior, expressed her satisfaction with her outfit, saying: "It completely fits my vibe and makes me feel confident in myself." With over 525 locations, Plato's Closet offers affordable resale fashion, helping teens express their individuality without overspending.

 

Ventura County Star