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California
28th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

School districts and teachers challenge California over Proposition 98 funding

The California School Boards Association has filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging that Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature illegally withheld $3.9bn from school districts and community colleges under Proposition 98. The legal action follows a similar lawsuit from the California Teachers Association earlier this month, putting school districts and the state’s largest teachers union on the same side of the funding dispute. Proposition 98 establishes a minimum funding guarantee for K-12 schools and community colleges based partly on state revenues and student enrollment. The school boards association argues that education should receive funding based on the year-end revenue calculation of $128bn. Newsom has argued that the calculation remains an estimate because state revenues, including volatile capital gains tax receipts, will continue to change. His administration says withholding $3.9bn reduces the risk of overpaying districts and having to cut funding later, but the state has not committed to a timetable for releasing the money.

INSTRUCTIONAL COHERENCE

No More Patchwork Literacy: CA Teachers Need Cohesive Resources

It’s time to do away with the countless hours scouring the internet for engaging, authentic texts, supplemental worksheets, foundational skills and everything in between. Piecing together fragmented resources isn’t just exhausting; it creates inconsistent learning experiences for students who need steady, structured growth. When instructional tools lack alignment across grade levels, critical skills fall through the cracks during key transitions. You shouldn't have to act as a curriculum designer on top of everything else you do.   

To truly uphold California’s ELA/ELD Framework, educators deserve a unified, evidence-based instructional approach that meets the needs of every learner, from TK through high school. Consistent, high-quality materials free teachers to focus on what matters most: delivering impactful, engaging instruction. 

Lean in to a TK-12 literacy strategy that empowers teachers and elevates student reading outcomes.

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Cameras in special education classrooms raise safety and privacy debate

Schools are increasingly considering cameras in special education classrooms to protect students who may be unable to report abuse or misconduct themselves. Supporters say recordings can provide evidence in investigations involving abuse, restraint, or seclusion, while also protecting educators from unfounded allegations. Critics, however, warn about privacy and argue that cameras cannot replace adequate staffing and training. Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland is expanding cameras across specialized classrooms, with full implementation expected by 2030. Recordings are not continuously monitored and can generally be reviewed only following safety incidents, emergencies, or misconduct allegations, with strict rules limiting access. Experts say cameras can provide accountability but should be accompanied by efforts to address staffing shortages, improve behavioral-management training, and reduce inappropriate restraint. Frederick County is evaluating its program through parent and staff feedback, investigation outcomes, and reporting patterns.

STATE NEWS

AI revolutionizes California education landscape

The third annual California Community Colleges Futures Summit, held on September 9 and 10, 2026, focused on “Human Skills in an Autonomous World,” highlighting the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education. Tarini Mehta reported that while some embrace AI, others express skepticism. California's public colleges are striving to balance rapid AI adaptation with necessary safeguards. The California State University (CSU) system has declared itself “AI-empowered,” investing $56m in partnerships with tech giants like Google and OpenAI to enhance education and workforce readiness. Meanwhile, the University of California (UC) is exploring systemwide AI contracts and has established guiding principles for responsible AI use. The California Community Colleges system is seeking nearly $200m in state funding to support AI initiatives, emphasizing equity and student success. Sarah Thompson, president of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, noted the need to protect faculty intellectual property while addressing AI's dual role in education.

New law boosts arts funding for schools

A new California law aims to enhance arts funding for small school districts by clarifying the use of Proposition 28 funds, which allocates nearly $1bn annually for arts programs. Assembly Bill 2440, authored by Al Muratsuchi, seeks to provide "statewide guidance" to help districts navigate compliance issues. However, concerns have arisen from Austin Beutner, the original architect of Proposition 28, who argues that the new law could allow districts to replace existing arts funding, undermining the intent of the proposition. Beutner said: "LAUSD has done exactly what the law prohibits," alleging misuse of funds. Despite ongoing lawsuits against Los Angeles USD for misappropriating arts funding, the new legislation aims to ensure that all schools receive the necessary arts instruction while protecting districts from financial penalties due to external factors.

TECHNOLOGY

AI tools can remember student data, raising questions for K-12 leaders

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools capable of retaining information about students across interactions could offer more personalized educational support, but experts warn that persistent memory also creates significant privacy and data governance challenges. AI memory can allow students’ progress to follow them between tools, grades, and institutions, but outdated, inaccurate, or unwanted information could also influence future academic recommendations and decisions. Education leaders say the issue is becoming more urgent as AI is increasingly embedded in school technology products. Vanessa Wren, chief information officer at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, argued that schools should treat AI memory as a new category of student data and use procurement contracts to establish rules governing how vendors collect, retain, secure, and use information. Panelists also said existing federal privacy laws, including FERPA and COPPA, do not fully address emerging AI capabilities. They called for greater transparency and meaningful controls that allow students and families to review, edit, or potentially delete AI-generated records and inferences before information moves between systems.

GOVERNANCE

Highlands charter school seeks fresh start

Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools, which has faced significant scrutiny and a state audit for allegedly misappropriating $180m, is seeking to relocate and rebrand as California Learning Academy in Sutter County. The Yuba City School Board denied their petition, citing "unsuccessful history in education" and low academic performance. Highlands Executive Director Jonathan Raymond argued that the board's decision was based on outdated information, stating: "A lot of (Yuba City's information) predates the work that myself and our team have done." The school, which serves primarily low-income immigrants, is appealing the decision to the Sutter County Board of Education. Despite past issues, including a class-action lawsuit and a state audit revealing 19 improprieties, Highlands claims to have addressed many concerns and is determined to continue its mission of serving underserved adults.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

CTE growth drives transportation changes

School districts are developing new transportation strategies as growing demand for career and technical education and work-based learning requires more students to travel between high schools, technical centers, community colleges, and workplaces during the school day. Transportation can become prohibitively expensive when relatively few CTE students need to travel from widely dispersed locations, with costs potentially reaching $30,000 to $50,000 annually per student in difficult cases. Districts are responding by aligning school schedules, consolidating bus stops, combining buses with smaller vehicles, and collaborating on transportation services. The Western Maricopa Education Center, which serves more than 37,000 students from 48 high schools in the Phoenix area, has moved from grant-supported transportation to agreements under which it shares driver costs with partner districts. West-MEC is also building campuses closer to students, including a site near Agua Fria High School that opened in 2025 and will add four more CTE programs in summer 2027, reducing the need for students to travel long distances.

NUTRITION

School meal programs face strain

AASA, The School Superintendents Association, has surveyed 429 school district leaders across 43 states, finding widespread financial and operational challenges in school meal programs. Among respondents, 67% said current federal funding levels present a moderate or significant challenge, while 40% reported diverting money from elsewhere in their budgets last year to cover meal program costs. Beyond funding, 69% identified compliance with federal nutrition standards as a challenge, and 37% cited student acceptance and participation as their greatest operational difficulty under current regulations. Infrastructure and staffing are also limiting districts’ ability to expand scratch cooking, with only 44% reporting full kitchens at every school, and 64% and 61% identifying staffing and funding, respectively, as barriers. AASA said insufficient reimbursement, staffing shortages, procurement difficulties, limited kitchen capacity, and low student acceptance are putting pressure on districts and, in some cases, forcing them to choose between absorbing rising meal costs and funding other educational priorities.

DISTRICTS

Duarte High embraces ethnic studies

At Duarte High School, Principal Kevin Morris welcomed students back on his birthday, marking the start of a new school year and the introduction of an ethnic studies curriculum. Morris emphasized the importance of this curriculum, stating: “We believe Ethnic Studies is an essential part of our students' educational and cultural experience.” The course, developed by teacher Arianna Rocha and her team, is now a graduation requirement for the class of 2030, following a state law. The program aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of their own histories and those of others. Rocha noted the positive impact of the course, with students expressing feelings of being “welcomed and seen” for the first time in a history class. The initiative also includes projects that document local history, such as the Rocktown history project, which highlights the stories of a vibrant community often overlooked.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario education unions schedule November strike votes as contract talks stall

Ontario’s public high school teachers will hold a strike vote from November 6-16, joining the province’s other major education unions in scheduling votes for November as negotiations over new contracts remain stalled. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation said unions are seeking greater government investment in public education, and that a strong strike mandate could strengthen their position at the bargaining table. A successful strike vote, however, would not necessarily lead to a walkout. Education contracts expired at the end of August, but negotiations have been delayed while the Ontario Labour Relations Board considers a dispute between the unions and the provincial government over which issues should be negotiated centrally and which should be handled by local unions and school boards. The government said it is ready to negotiate new agreements once the labor board process concludes. A spokesperson for Education Minister Paul Calandra criticized the strike discussions as premature, saying the government’s priority is reaching an agreement that keeps students in classrooms.

AND FINALLY......

U2 marks 50 years with concert at school where its story began

U2 returned to Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, where the band formed 50 years ago, to surprise hundreds of students with a 30-minute performance. The seven-song set included “I Will Follow,” “One,” and an encore of “With or Without You,” with 32 students joining the band on string instruments for “One.” The group traces its origins to the school, where 14-year-old drummer Larry Mullen posted a notice seeking musicians in 1976. Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton subsequently joined the group, which was initially called Feedback before eventually becoming U2. The performance also promoted the band’s new album, “Carnaval De Luz,” and Bono paid tribute to the school’s teachers and wider community, reflecting on the lessons the band learned there and their importance throughout its career.
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