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California
25th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Head Start English-only plan proposed

The Trump administration has proposed requiring English-only classroom instruction in Head Start, potentially affecting nearly 290,000 dual-language learners nationwide, including thousands of children in Los Angeles County. The proposal would remove requirements for staff to speak students’ predominant home languages, provide certain assessments and screenings in families’ preferred languages, translate essential parent materials, and maintain foreign-language classroom resources. The administration says the changes would give providers greater flexibility and strengthen English proficiency and school readiness, while critics argue they could hinder language acquisition, family communication, and student development. The Administration for Children and Families estimates that one-third of non-tribal Head Start programs would need to change curricula, replace materials, and retrain or replace teachers, at an estimated one-time cost of at least $99 million. The proposal is undergoing public comment through October 6.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Education central to the American Dream

A new Gallup and Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream survey found that 92% of Americans consider a quality education important to achieving the American Dream, even as dissatisfaction with K-12 education remains widespread. Adults who are more satisfied with schools are also more optimistic about upward mobility and opportunities for future generations, while most respondents said schools are not doing enough to prepare students for the workforce or help them improve their circumstances. A separate recent poll found that just 32% of adults are satisfied with U.S. education options. However, views are more positive at the individual level, with 58% saying they received a quality education, and 57% saying they have access to good schools for themselves and their families.

Clock change debate hits schools

The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent and end twice-yearly clock changes, faces uncertainty in the Senate amid concerns about its effects on students and schools. The House passed the legislation 308-117 in July, but some senators have raised concerns that permanent daylight saving time could leave students traveling to school in darkness during winter mornings, particularly in northern states. The article cites sleep experts who argue that permanent standard time would better align with circadian rhythms, particularly for teenagers, and could support sleep, learning, and mental health. Supporters of permanent daylight saving time emphasize the benefits of additional evening daylight, while some educators warn that moving school start times later could conflict with sports, extracurricular activities, and instructional schedules.

CHARTERS

Highlands charter school seeks fresh start

Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools, a Sacramento charter school criticized for allegedly misusing $180m in state funds, is appealing to open under a new name, California Learning Academy, in Sutter County. The Yuba City UDF School Board denied its petition, citing "unsuccessful history in education" and issues like low academic performance and financial mismanagement. Highlands Executive Director Jonathan Raymond said the board's decision relied on outdated information, commenting: "A lot of (Yuba City’s information) predates the work that myself and our team have done." The school, which serves adult learners, has faced scrutiny since its inception, including a 2025 audit revealing 19 improprieties. Despite disputes over the $180m figure, Highlands claims to have addressed many issues, including replacing unqualified teachers. The California Department of Education has demanded repayment, which could jeopardize the school's future.

ABSENTEEISM

Chronic absenteeism: a growing concern

Chronic absenteeism among young students in California is a pressing issue, with 24% of kindergarteners reported as chronically absent in the 2024-25 school year. Jessica Hull, executive director of communication and community engagement at Roseville City School District, emphasized: “If they are missing school, they are missing out on the building blocks, and it will impact them for the rest of their lives.” The state will release new data on absenteeism rates in October, particularly focusing on transitional kindergarten (TK) attendance. Despite improvements since the Covid peak, attendance remains a challenge for TK and kindergarten students, who often face illnesses and adjustment difficulties. Roseville City has implemented targeted communication strategies to educate families on the importance of daily attendance, resulting in a significant drop in overall chronic absence rates. Early intervention is crucial, as reengaging chronically absent students becomes increasingly difficult as they age.

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment decline hits Davis schools hard

Davis USD continues to experience a significant decline in enrollment, with projections indicating a loss of 1,000 students over the next decade. The district has seen a drop of over 5% in total enrollment since the 2019-20 school year, with kindergarten enrollment plummeting by more than 20%. Associate Superintendent Laura Juanitas said: “Unless we have some significant population increase in Davis, we don't expect these numbers to increase that much.” The district is considering school closures and has already begun reducing class sections and staff. Efforts to boost enrollment through transitional kindergarten have not sufficiently countered the overall decline. The city is also facing challenges in attracting young families due to a tight housing market, which has hindered growth in student numbers.

GOVERNANCE

Davis school board elections heat up

Three seats on Davis Joint USD's board of trustees are up for election this November. Candidates include Dorte Jensen and Colleen Zern in Area 1, with Jensen advocating for "transparent decision-making" and Zern emphasizing "evidence-based decision-making." In Area 3, incumbent Joe DiNunzio is running against Kurt Wendlenner, who aims to enhance transparency in the district. Area 4 features incumbent Elizabeth Moon and challenger Beth Bourne, who seeks to refocus schools on academics. Moon stated: "I will demand real transparency so parents can easily review every curriculum and policy." The election is crucial as it may influence the district's approach to school closures and educational policies.

DISTRICTS

Mandarin immersion school to open in San Francisco

San Francisco USD is set to launch a new TK-8 Mandarin immersion school at 1670 Noe St. in 2027, co-located with Mission Education Center. Dr. Maria Su, SFUSD superintendent, said: “This is an exciting moment for San Francisco families who have been asking for a TK-8 Mandarin immersion school.” The school aims to address the high demand for Mandarin programs, which has led to the rise of private alternatives. The new school will start with one transitional kindergarten classroom and three kindergarten classrooms, adding a grade each year until it reaches full capacity. Parents like Abby Chao, who co-founded Friends of the SF Mandarin School, are eager for the opportunity, emphasizing the importance of bilingual education for their children. The initiative reflects SFUSD's commitment to enhancing language education amid declining enrollment.

SPORT

Transgender sports rules diverge across states following Supreme Court decision

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling has allowed state laws barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s school sports to remain in place, while stopping short of requiring such restrictions nationwide. According to the article, 27 states currently have laws restricting transgender girls’ participation in girls’ sports at publicly funded K-12 schools and colleges, while other states remain free to maintain more inclusive policies. Professional leagues and sports organizations generally establish their own eligibility rules, with several organizations, including the NCAA and International Olympic Committee, adopting restrictions on transgender women competing in women’s categories. The article notes that transgender athletes represent a very small share of sports participants and that research on potential athletic advantages remains limited. Legal experts also said the Supreme Court’s reasoning could influence future disputes involving Title IX, equal protection, and transgender rights beyond athletics.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Education Department announces $174m investment in HBCUs

The U.S. Department of Education has announced a one-time investment of more than $174m in historically Black colleges and universities, in addition to their regular annual federal funding. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the funding is intended to help HBCUs continue providing education and preparing students for a changing economy, while addressing barriers to federal and state grants and improving their competitiveness for research and development funding. The latest award follows a $438m one-time investment last year, bringing the administration’s combined one-time HBCU investment for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to more than $612m. The administration is also providing more than $61m in additional one-time funding for tribally controlled colleges and universities. The United Negro College Fund welcomed the HBCU investment, although its president, Michael L. Lomax, said needs across HBCU campuses remain significant.

Education Department panel deadlocks over ABA’s role in law school accreditation

A U.S. Department of Education advisory committee has deadlocked over whether the American Bar Association should retain its status as the federally recognized accreditor of U.S. law schools, leaving Education Department Under Secretary Nicholas Kent to make the final decision in the coming months. The department previously recommended against renewing the ABA legal education council’s accreditor status, arguing that it is not sufficiently separate and independent from the broader ABA and criticizing the organization for moving too slowly to revise requirements concerning law schools’ diversity policies. Critics of the ABA’s accreditation role argued that ending federal recognition would have limited immediate effects because only five law schools rely on ABA accreditation for access to federal student loans. Supporters warned that removing the ABA could disrupt U.S. legal education and create a patchwork of state lawyer licensing requirements, while also alleging that federal accreditation rules were being applied unevenly to the organization.

Education Department sued over canceled student loans still appearing on credit reports

Two student-loan borrowers have sued the U.S. Department of Education, alleging that loans canceled years ago remain listed as active on their credit reports, damaging their credit scores and limiting their ability to borrow. The Project on Predatory Student Lending, which represents plaintiffs Mandy Woods and Jorge Cortes and is seeking class-action status, says more than 300,000 borrowers still have $4.6bn in canceled debt reported as outstanding. Woods borrowed about $65,000 to attend Ashford University, while Cortes borrowed about $54,000 for ITT Technical Institute, with the Education Department later canceling loans for eligible former students after taking action against both institutions. Woods said her credit report continues to show nearly $72,000 in federal student-loan debt because of accrued interest, despite the discharge, and that she was recently denied three credit cards. The lawsuit alleges that the department is violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by continuing to report canceled balances, amid broader disruption in the federal student-loan system and a default population that has reached more than 9.3m borrowers.

Seniors get college acceptance boost

More than 1,200 seniors from Pajaro Valley USD are set to receive letters confirming their eligibility for the California State University (CSU) system's Direct Admissions Program. This initiative, which aims to alleviate the stress of college applications, allows students to be automatically accepted into participating CSU campuses based on their academic performance. Julie Edwards, the district's director of strategic educational options, expressed excitement about the program, stating: “It's going to provide a lot of excitement and relief for some of our families.” The program, resulting from Senate Bill 640, was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom and will begin for the fall 2027 semester. The district verified that 1,207 seniors met the eligibility criteria, with 483 qualifying for automatic acceptance. Superintendent Heather Contreras called this a “milestone moment for our students and families,” emphasizing the commitment to making college an accessible reality.

INTERNATIONAL

Italy moves to ban face-covering veils in schools and introduce 30% classroom limit

Italy’s government has approved measures banning burqas and niqabs in schools and introducing a 30% cap affecting certain students without Italian citizenship or with limited Italian-language experience in first-year primary, middle, and high school classes. The face-covering ban does not apply to hijabs, while the classroom rules vary by education level and include exemptions where students cannot be distributed among nearby schools, with additional Italian-language instruction provided instead. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the measures as tools to promote integration, while Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said the limit is “purely linguistic” and intended to prevent “ghetto classes.” Schools would also be required to report cases where persistent parental language barriers hinder a child’s integration, with free Italian courses offered. Opposition politicians have criticized the measures as politically motivated and difficult to implement, while the government has rejected claims that it is responding to pressure from the hard-right Futuro Nazionale party. The decree can take effect immediately but must be ratified by parliament within 60 days.
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