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States including Illinois, Ohio, and Kansas are tightening standards for professional development courses that teachers can use to qualify for salary increases, amid concerns about low-quality programs offering academic credits for minimal work. A new Illinois law requires qualifying courses to come from regionally accredited higher education institutions, be taught by appropriately credentialed instructors, and provide graduate-level credit on an official transcript, while still allowing separate pay increases for microcredentials and additional certifications. The changes follow scrutiny of programs such as the Albion Institute, whose courses have been barred from counting toward license renewal in several states after reports that some three-credit courses could be completed in as little as 15 to 45 minutes. However, education experts argue that stronger academic standards may not be enough, noting limited evidence that master’s degrees generally improve student achievement and suggesting that professional development tied to salary increases should more closely support districts’ instructional priorities.

 

Education Week News

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School security purchasing decisions are typically shaped by multiple district officials, with superintendents and school boards playing the biggest roles, according to an EdWeek Research Center survey. Among 237 district and school leaders surveyed, 63% said superintendents have major influence over security purchases, 46% cited school boards, 34% pointed to school leaders, 31% named finance and budgeting officials, 29% cited technology leaders, and 26% identified operations leaders. The purchasing process varies by district, product, cost, and complexity. In Quincy Public Schools in Illinois, a student bringing an unloaded gun to a football game accelerated plans to upgrade screening, leading the school board to approve nearly $297,000 for a weapons-detection system. In other districts, technology directors, security staff, finance officials, and senior administrators may lead product evaluation before larger purchases go to the superintendent and school board for approval. The U.S. educational security market is estimated at up to $4bn, attracting vendors selling cameras, weapons-detection systems, access controls, emergency communications tools, and other products. However, districts often face tight budgets and may depend on grants or state funding for major investments.

 

Education Week News

The School Nutrition Association is urging federal leaders to provide emergency per-meal reimbursements beginning next fiscal year as rising food, labor, and equipment costs put growing pressure on school nutrition programs. The organization has asked the USDA to use Section 32 Funds for the additional support, citing an SNA survey of 1,240 school meal program directors in which 99% said they need more funding, 98% reported challenges with food costs, and 95% cited both labor and equipment costs. More than half expressed serious concern about their programs’ financial sustainability over the next three years, while 70% said current reimbursement rates are insufficient to cover the cost of producing a school lunch. Although the SNA welcomed $75 million in new farm-to-school and kitchen infrastructure grants, it said the funding does not fully address the financial pressures facing programs, which could intensify as proposed nutrition standards potentially increase protein requirements and seek to reduce ultra-processed foods.

 

FoodService Director

Laguna Beach USD has released a $15,000 investigative report into a May 14 protest and board meeting that followed controversial leadership changes, including the departure of former Superintendent Jason Glass and the appointment of Don Austin. Investigators concluded that the demonstration, attended by an estimated 100 to 200 parents, students, and district staff, was an exercise of First Amendment rights that was loud and targeted at specific board members, but found no evidence of criminal activity or intent to cause physical harm. The investigation found that the meeting was more disruptive than usual but remained nonviolent, and video evidence clarified an earlier account involving Board Clerk Dee Perry, who acknowledged that she lost her balance rather than being knocked down by protesters. The report also identified shortcomings in existing security procedures, including the absence of a designated protest area and inadequate restrictions on access around the board meeting space. The district has since introduced reserved parking, secure entrances, restricted-access areas, and crowd-management procedures.

 

Los Angeles Times

A nationwide analysis, carried out by researchers from Brown University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found that 44% of U.S. pre-K through grade 12 schools are located within one mile of a known hazardous site. Nearly 10,000 schools, or about 8% of U.S. schools, are within a quarter mile of sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency, including Superfund sites, brownfields, and Toxics Release Inventory facilities. Native, Black, Hispanic, and low-income students are more likely than white students to attend schools near hazardous sites, while proximity levels are similar for public and private schools. Researchers said the findings likely underestimate schools’ overall exposure to environmental hazards because the analysis excludes unlisted hazardous sites and other pollution sources, including highways, wildfire smoke, and lead plumbing inside schools. The study highlights potential health and educational concerns because children are particularly vulnerable to environmental exposures as their bodies and brains develop.

 

Environmental Health News

Superintendent Mike Herfurth of Rincon Valley USD announced his resignation in a letter to staff on September 11, after serving as interim superintendent for two years and being appointed to the full role just four months ago. Herfurth, who has dedicated over 25 years to the district, will transition to a position in personnel management with the Redwood Empire Schools' Insurance Group.

 

Press Democrat

San Francisco's preschool costs are soaring, with families facing an average monthly bill of around $2,500 for full-time care. For those earning below 200% of the area median income, financial assistance is available through Early Learning for All (ELFA), providing free preschool for families of four earning less than $178,300 annually. The most expensive preschool, La Scuola International School, charges approximately $3,780 monthly for part-time care, translating to nearly $37 per hour. In contrast, Children's Day School, the priciest full-time option, costs $4,890 monthly, or about $22.50 per hour. Jessica Roy, a personal finance columnist, highlights the unique offerings of these schools, such as language immersion and innovative curricula, which contribute to their high costs.

 

San Francisco Chronicle

El Monte High School celebrated its 125th anniversary on September 19, 2026, marking a significant milestone for both the school and the El Monte UHSD. The event featured performances from the marching band and a cappella choir, with over 50 alumni and current students participating. Principal Eddie Cuevas said: “Today we celebrate more than an anniversary, we celebrate 125 years of history, 125 years of opportunity, 125 years of community, 125 years of Lion pride.” The celebration included campus tours, a classic car show, and a vendor market, showcasing the school's rich history and cultural identity. A time capsule was also created, set to be opened in 2051 for the school's 150th anniversary.

 

Pasadena Star-News

SGV Tribune

Argonaut Elementary School recently unveiled newly painted murals on its handball wall, thanks to art teacher Wenlan Lu. The original murals, created over a decade ago, featured the school's name and inspiring quotes. Lu's redesign emphasizes the school's core values of inclusion, empathy, kindness, and resilience. "I liked the original messages and built my designs around them," Lu said, highlighting her collaboration with Principal Joe Bosco to clarify the vision. The new murals are designed to withstand inclement weather, as noted by district spokeswoman Shannon Carr.

 

East Bay

Mercury News

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) has received a $10m federal grant to establish the WRITE AI Center, aimed at enhancing writing instruction through generative AI. Over five years, the center will develop evidence-based strategies and resources to help colleges effectively integrate AI into writing education. Mark Warschauer, the center's principal investigator, stated: “What we haven't done, and what nobody has done, is a randomized controlled trial.” This trial will assess the impact of AI on writing skills among over 1,000 community college students across 60 classes. The center will collaborate with various educational organizations to explore how AI can improve student learning while maintaining essential writing skills. Warschauer emphasized the importance of adapting to AI's presence in education, saying, “We have to figure out the best way to integrate it.”

 

The Orange Country Register

Ontario elementary teachers will vote from November 9 to 18 on whether they are willing to strike, becoming the second major teachers’ group to schedule a strike vote amid stalled contract negotiations. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, representing 84,000 teachers and education workers, follows the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, which has also planned a November vote. Education contracts expired at the end of August, but negotiations have stalled over which issues should be addressed through central bargaining, and which should be left to local unions and school boards. The major education unions are awaiting a ruling from the Ontario Labour Relations Board on the dispute. Ontario’s Education Ministry said it will be ready to negotiate once the labor board process concludes. A spokesperson for Education Minister Paul Calandra called strike threats premature and said the government is focused on reaching an agreement that keeps students in classrooms. The unions had sought to begin bargaining in March, but the government declined, and talks started in June.

 

CBC News

CP24

Toronto Star