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California
30th September 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Teachers mobilize for Proposition 3

California teachers unions are campaigning heavily for Proposition 3, a November ballot measure that would make permanent higher state income tax rates on the top 2% of earners that have been in place since 2012 and are otherwise due to expire in 2031. According to the article, the measure is projected to generate $5bn-$15bn annually for the state’s general fund, with 40%, or $2bn-$6bn, going to schools and community colleges. The Yes on 3 campaign had raised $46.8m as of September 24, including $33.3m from the California Teachers Association and $10m from the National Education Association, while the opposition had raised $5,500. Teachers are also canvassing statewide, with more than 1,200 educators knocking on nearly 39,000 doors during a September 19 campaign event. A September 25 UC Berkeley Institute for Governmental Studies survey cited by the article found 54% support for Proposition 3, 40% opposition, and 13% undecided.

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.

 

STATE NEWS

California boosts substitute teaching options

California has enacted Assembly Bill 2490, allowing substitute teachers with an emergency credential to work in a single classroom for up to 70 days, an increase from the previous limit of 60 days. This new law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, expands eligibility for the Emergency Career Substitute Teaching Permit to college graduates without prior substitute experience, provided they can demonstrate basic teaching skills. Schools are now required to offer orientation, professional development, and mentorship to these substitutes. Debra Schade, president of the California School Boards Association, said, “Every student deserves the consistency that comes from having a qualified, permanent teacher in the classroom, and that must remain the goal.” The legislation aims to address California's ongoing teacher shortage while ensuring students receive stable instruction.

California SAT takers surge 12.6%

The number of California students from the class of 2026 taking the SAT increased by 12.6%, reaching 138,763 test-takers, according to data from the College Board. This rise is attributed to more universities reinstating testing requirements after the pandemic, with Priscilla Rodriguez, the College Board's senior vice president of College Readiness Assessments, stating: “They want to have a score to keep all these options open.” Although the University of California and California State University systems do not use SAT scores for admissions, they still consider them for course placement. The UC is currently reevaluating its testing policy amid concerns about student preparedness, particularly in math. The racial disparities in SAT scores reflect broader inequalities in K-12 education, as noted by Rodriguez.

New law simplifies English proficiency path

California has enacted Assembly Bill 2555, simplifying the process for students learning English to prove their proficiency. Previously, students needed to achieve a proficient score on the English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC), gain teacher and parent approval, and demonstrate basic academic skills. Under the new law, students will automatically be reclassified as proficient upon achieving ELPAC proficiency, with districts expected to start using last spring's scores this fall. Martha Hernandez, executive director of Californians Together, said: "This is a major victory for California’s English learners," emphasizing the removal of barriers to opportunities. The law aims to prevent students from remaining classified as English learners after demonstrating proficiency, which can hinder their access to advanced courses and graduation.

California schools face food overhaul

California public schools could face significant financial, staffing, and infrastructure challenges as they prepare to phase out certain ultra-processed foods under the Real Foods, Healthy Kids Act, according to a study of 20 school food service directors in the San Joaquin Valley. Schools must begin phasing out affected foods in July 2029 and eliminate those covered by the law by July 2035, but directors warned that replacing inexpensive, ready-to-serve products with whole foods and scratch-cooked meals could require larger food budgets, additional full-time staff, training, and costly kitchen upgrades. Some districts are already using grants, central kitchens, and greater student and family engagement to support the transition, although researchers said sustained funding will be important for long-term changes.

NATIONAL NEWS

DoDEA shifts education priorities

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), which operates around 160 schools serving approximately 66,000 children of U.S. service members, is undergoing significant changes under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Pentagon is increasing its emphasis on “classical education,” expanding school choice, restricting hundreds of books, and introducing centralized reading requirements, including a mandate for teachers to teach two novels from an approved list using prescribed lesson plans. Schools have also restricted certain materials and activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender identity, Women’s History Month, and Black History Month. The changes are being introduced despite DoDEA students historically performing above national averages on federally mandated tests. The system has launched an online history of the West course, plans further classical education initiatives, and is offering the Classical Learning Test to 11th and 12th graders, with the exam set to be accepted by the three major U.S. service academies beginning in the 2027 academic year.

 
CNN

CURRICULUM

AP courses adapt to AI

The College Board is redesigning AP Computer Science Principles and AP Seminar beginning in the 2027-28 school year as artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly affects teaching and student work. AP Computer Science Principles will incorporate AI and machine learning across its curriculum and introduce an AI Create Project requiring students to develop an application using AI. AP Seminar will teach appropriate uses of generative AI but require students to draft and edit essays submitted for AP scoring in a secure environment without access to the technology. The changes follow feedback from thousands of AP teachers, who broadly recognize the importance of AI literacy while expressing concerns about critical thinking, independent work, and unreliable AI-detection tools. The College Board also plans additional professional development to help educators implement the redesigned courses.

AI hype vs. real learning

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into K-12 curricula, educators face challenges in distinguishing effective tools from mere marketing claims. A recent brief from EdReports revealed that only one of ten vendors provided third-party evidence of AI's impact on student learning. Courtney Allison, chief academic officer at EdReports, expressed surprise at the lack of evidence, stating: “I knew that there wasn’t going to be much evidence, but I was surprised at how little there was.” The report highlights the difficulty schools encounter in ensuring product efficacy amid rapid AI updates. Experts like Brittany Miller and Jean-Claude Brizard emphasize the need for clearer standards and transparency from vendors. As the market becomes crowded, educators are urged to demand more from vendors regarding the effectiveness and implementation of AI tools in classrooms.

GOVERNANCE

Women face superintendent leadership barriers

Women continue to face additional hurdles in reaching superintendent positions, according to data cited by Julia Rafal-Baer, chief executive and co-founder of ILO Group. Women lead 170, or 34%, of the nation’s 500 largest school districts, despite representing the majority of the educator workforce, and 35% of female superintendents reached their roles after serving as interim leaders, compared with 25% of men. Among interim superintendents since 2018 who pursued permanent appointments, 62% of women went through a formal search process, compared with 55% of men, a disparity Rafal-Baer describes as an “audition tax.” The article argues that subjective judgments around leadership style, commitment, and fit can create additional barriers for women, and recommends that school boards establish clear priorities and assess all candidates against consistent, evidence-based criteria.

Candidates vie for Modesto School Board

The Modesto Bee has gathered background information on candidates for the Modesto City Schools Board of Education, which has four open seats this midterm election. Incumbents Cindy Marks and Adolfo Lopez are running for reelection, while other candidates include Nefi Lopez, Stephanie Poulsen, Debra Brady, Michelle Tomlinson, and Fabiola Garcia. Marks, who has served since 1997, emphasized her commitment to student welfare, stating: "I am running because I care deeply about our students, families and the future of Modesto City Schools." Each candidate has outlined their priorities, focusing on student achievement, community engagement, and effective governance. The Modesto Teachers Association has endorsed several candidates, including Nefi Lopez and Debra Brady.

TECHNOLOGY

Meta adds new Instagram tools for nearly 17,000 participating schools

Meta has expanded Instagram’s school partnership program in the U.S., introducing additional features designed to connect schools and students as the company faces increased scrutiny over teen safety. Nearly 17,000 schools have joined the program, and Meta is creating a centralized hub for school-related accounts. Verified students at participating schools will gain access to features including directories for clubs and teams, school-specific Stories, and Notes for announcements, while verified schools will receive new Channels and Notes tools to communicate with students, parents, and the wider school community. The expansion follows Meta’s agreement in August to pay up to $18bn over the next decade and impose restrictions on teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram to resolve claims that its platforms were designed to addict children.

NUTRITION

White House resistance slows RFK Jr.’s food overhaul

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to overhaul the U.S. food system have faced growing resistance from White House officials concerned about the legal, economic, and practical implications of his proposals. Officials have delayed a proposed definition of “ultraprocessed food,” fearing it could cover much of the food sold in U.S. grocery stores, expose the government and food companies to litigation, and affect trade and the wider industry. The tensions have also stalled stricter school-meal standards and a proposed safety review of certain refined carbohydrates. The disputes highlight a growing divide between Mr. Kennedy’s team, which is pushing for rapid action on its “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, and White House officials seeking greater review of policies they fear could be costly, difficult to implement, or legally vulnerable.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Lawmakers seek answers over delayed COVID-19 vaccine access for children

Top Senate Democrats are pressing federal health officials over an apparent monthlong delay in making COVID-19 vaccines available through the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free immunizations to more than half of U.S. children, including those covered by Medicaid and those who are uninsured or underinsured. The vaccines received FDA approval on August 27, but states were not able to begin ordering doses through the program until September 23. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sens. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have asked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to explain the delay and ensure distribution continues without further interruption. HHS said the vaccines are now available for states to order and argued that COVID-19 vaccine procurement does not follow the same deadlines as vaccines for more predictable seasonal illnesses because the virus circulates year-round.

RECRUITMENT

Global teacher shortages worsen as schools struggle to recruit qualified educators

Teacher shortages are becoming an increasingly widespread global challenge, with nearly 40% of 15-year-olds attending schools where principals said staffing shortages hindered instruction in 2025, up from 27% in 2018, according to OECD data. The share of teachers working without full certification has also increased in two-thirds of countries reporting data, with nearly one in 10 primary and secondary teachers across OECD countries not fully qualified in 2025. Schools are struggling particularly to recruit qualified STEM educators, while growing demand for special education and multilingual-learner support is adding to staffing requirements despite declining student enrollment in many countries. In the U.S., teachers generally work longer hours and spend more time teaching than the OECD average, but report comparatively strong morale and satisfaction with employment conditions beyond salary. The U.S. also draws more heavily on career changers, with 16.3% of teachers having previously spent at least a decade in another profession, nearly double the OECD average of 8.4%. The OECD argues that improving working conditions, leadership, career opportunities, and how teachers’ time is structured will be important to attracting and retaining educators.

FURTHER EDUCATION

Measure H aims to improve facilities

The Los Rios Community College District is urging voters in Sacramento and Yolo counties to support Measure H in the upcoming November election. This bond aims to fund essential repairs and improvements across its colleges, including modernizing classrooms and upgrading security. Measure H requires a 55% majority to pass and will be financed through increased property taxes, estimated to add $16.55 annually per $100,000 of assessed property value. While five out of seven trustees support the measure, Trustee Robert Jones opposes it, arguing that the district does not need more buildings. The bond proceeds will not cover salaries or operating expenses, ensuring funds are used solely for capital improvements.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Education Department extends student loan interest rate discount deadline

The U.S. Department of Education has extended the deadline for federal student loan borrowers to enroll in automatic payments and receive a one percentage point interest rate reduction until December 31, with the benefit lasting through June 30, 2028, once borrowers enroll. Nearly 2m borrowers have signed up for autopay since the discount became available over the summer, compared with the typical 0.25 percentage point reduction offered for automatic payments. The discount applies to eligible Direct Loans, including Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Direct PLUS, and Direct Consolidation Loans, provided they were disbursed on or after July 1, 2012, and are in good standing. FFEL and private student loans are not eligible.

UC Davis faces lawsuit over discrimination

The University of California, Davis is facing a class action lawsuit filed by 19 former equestrian team members, alleging sex discrimination and violations of Title IX. The lawsuit claims that UC Davis deprived female athletes of equal financial aid for over a decade, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Anna Donovan, a former team member, expressed her devastation over the team's elimination, stating: “We were stunned even more when the school tried to defend its decision by releasing a consultant's report showing it was depriving women athletes annually of hundreds of thousands of dollars in equal athletic financial aid.” The lawsuit seeks nearly $1.4m in damages and aims to ensure compliance with Title IX. Lead counsel Arthur Bryant emphasized that UC Davis has been “cheating its women athletes out of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in equal athletic financial aid.”

Ken Griffin donates record $3bn to Carnegie Mellon

Citadel chief executive Ken Griffin is donating $3bn to Carnegie Mellon University, the largest individual gift to higher education in U.S. history, including $2bn to establish a new campus in Miami and $1bn for the university’s main Pittsburgh campus. The 35-acre Miami campus, located in Wynwood, will focus on technology and innovation, including artificial intelligence, health and biological discovery, national security, energy and climate resilience, and advanced manufacturing. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the first students expected in 2028, and the campus is eventually projected to support more than 3,500 students, nearly 300 faculty members, and more than 600 staff. Griffin will also join Carnegie Mellon’s Board of Trustees, while its Pittsburgh computer science building will be renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin School of Computer Science.

INTERNATIONAL

Hundreds detained as school protests escalate across France

High school protests across France have escalated over concerns including teacher shortages, overcrowded classes, demanding schedules, inadequate facilities, and overheated classrooms, with demonstrations or disruptions affecting hundreds of schools. Some protests turned violent, with students setting fires and throwing objects at police, who responded with batons and tear gas; Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 440 people were detained nationwide, most of them minors, while 10 students and staff members were reported injured. The demonstrations coincided with nationwide public-sector strikes and protests over the government’s budget, adding to political tensions between the government and La France Insoumise, whose politicians have supported the student movement. 
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