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California
1st October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California teachers fight for funds

The California Federation of Teachers (CFT) has joined a lawsuit with the California Teachers Association against Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature, alleging they illegally withheld billions in state funds designated for TK-12 schools and community colleges. CFT President Jeff Freitas said: “When billions in guaranteed education funding are withheld and diverted away from schools, immediate consequences are felt in classrooms throughout the state.” The lawsuits seek to recover $3.9bn in education funds withheld in the 2026-27 state budget. Newsom has defended the deferral of these funds as a prudent measure due to the state's unstable revenue outlook, without committing to a timeline for repayment. Prop. 98, enacted in 1988, guarantees minimum funding based on the state's economic health and student enrollment, with current conditions resulting in schools receiving about 40% of general fund revenues.

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.

 

LEGAL

Newsom signs bill to curb lawsuits

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 577 to address the surge of lawsuits against local governments and schools stemming from Assembly Bill 218, which made it easier to sue for child sexual abuse. Newsom said the new law “attempts to thread the needle,” balancing justice for victims with the financial stability of public institutions. The law raises the burden of proof for plaintiffs over 40 and imposes penalties on lawyers pursuing fraudulent claims. It also mandates that schools adopt codes of conduct and enhance training for mandated reporters. While some lawmakers supported the bill for its protective measures, others criticized it for potentially hindering survivors' rights. Sen. Caroline Menjivar noted: “It’s not a perfect bill. It’s a compromise,” emphasizing the need for future protections for children.

Watchdog group sues education department

A watchdog group, Transparent California, has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Education in San Diego court for denying access to school officials' email addresses in a spreadsheet format. This information is crucial for the group to request compensation data from the state's 935 school districts under the Public Records Act. Todd Maddison, research director for Transparent California, expressed his disagreement with the department's decision, stating: “Everyone, including public employees, gets spam. That's not a reason to gut the Public Records Act.” The department previously provided this data but ceased due to concerns over spam and cyberattacks. The case highlights the ongoing struggle for transparency in public records.

Union charges district over layoffs

The California School Employees Association (CSEA) has filed an unfair practice charge against the San Juan USD, alleging that the district failed to negotiate the impact of recent layoffs on employees. The complaint follows the elimination of approximately 194 full-time equivalent classified positions due to budget constraints. Adara Clark-Gunn, President of San Juan Chapter 127, expressed concerns about whether all affected employees received proper notifications, stating: “CSEA has serious concerns regarding whether all impacted employees received the required notices.” The union claims that while some information was provided, critical details were missing, hindering meaningful negotiations. Clark-Gunn emphasized the need for the district to fulfill its obligations to provide necessary information for effective bargaining, saying: “However, moving forward requires the District to address the outstanding information requests.” The district is currently reviewing the complaint and has not yet commented on the matter.

FINANCE

New law clears arts funding confusion

California's new law, Assembly Bill 2440, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, aims to clarify the implementation of Proposition 28, which allocates approximately $1bn annually for arts education in public K-12 schools. Many schools returned funds due to uncertainty about spending guidelines, fearing legal repercussions. Austin Beutner, former superintendent and author of Prop. 28, is involved in a pending lawsuit regarding its application. The law now allows schools to pool resources and confirms that external arts grants count towards baseline funding. Veronica Alvarez, executive director of Create CA, emphasized the importance of arts education, stating: "An arts class can give a child something to look forward to at school and a place where they feel they belong." The arts significantly contribute to California's economy, representing nearly 10% of its output and employing over 1 million people.

Teachers rally for Prop 3 support

Vicky Chon, president of the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association, is leading a canvassing effort in Fremont to promote Proposition 3, which aims to secure funding for local schools. "If we don’t pass Prop. 3, we could lose $20m for our Fremont students," Chon said. The proposition seeks to make a higher income tax rate on the top 2% of California earners permanent, which has been in effect since 2012 and has generated billions for education. The Yes on 3 campaign has raised $46.8m, significantly outpacing the opposition's $5,500. With five weeks until the election, support for Prop. 3 has risen to 54%, while support for the competing Prop. 40 has declined to 45%. Teachers are committed to canvassing every weekend to ensure the proposition's success, as they believe it is crucial for maintaining educational funding and preventing layoffs.

Support our schools: Measure K

The San Carlos School District is advocating for Measure K, a parcel tax initiative aimed at raising the current tax rate to $489 per parcel for eight years, generating $4.4m annually for schools. This measure would replace the existing tax of $334, which is set to expire in 2028, and includes annual cost of living adjustments.

NUTRITION

California schools launch organic food co-op

California's public schools serve over a billion meals annually, and the new Conscious Organic School Food Purchasing Cooperative (Conscious Co-op) aims to leverage this purchasing power to enhance access to organic food. Launched by Conscious Kitchen, the initiative unites 17 founding school districts, serving over 300,000 students, to create a dependable market for organic farmers. "When districts come together and say, ‘This is what we want to buy,' farmers, food makers and distributors can respond," said Judi Shils, Founder and Executive Director of Conscious Kitchen. The co-op partners with UNFI and Sysco to facilitate access to organic products, allowing other districts to join through piggybacking contracts. The goal is to expand organic food availability in California schools and inspire similar initiatives nationwide.

DISTRICTS

Sacramento schools shine in diversity rankings

Two school districts in the Sacramento area have been recognized for their diversity in a ranking by Niche, an online education data firm. The districts were evaluated based on factors such as academic performance and a student racial diversity index. Natomas USD ranked #2 for diversity in America and #7 for Best School Districts in the Sacramento area, receiving an A+ for diversity and an overall Niche grade of A-. “My teachers are very kind and help me engage in lessons that can help me build a strong foundation for my future,” said a student from Natomas. Elk Grove USD also made the list, ranking #5 for diversity and #2 in Sacramento County, with an A+ for diversity and an overall grade of A. 

GOVERNANCE

Alexander seeks second term on Lodi USD Board

Sherry Alexander is campaigning for a second term on the Lodi USD Board of Education, emphasizing her dedication and investment in the community. “I feel a strong sense of connectedness to Lodi Unified, our students and our community,” Alexander said. She aims to strengthen relationships with parents and staff while implementing a seven-period day at high schools. She is running against Katherine King, who has a background in education and community involvement but did not respond to a recent questionnaire.

TECHNOLOGY

AI: friend or foe for students?

California high school students are facing a significant dilemma regarding AI in their education. Many are hesitant to use AI for schoolwork, fearing it may undermine their learning and future job prospects. Logan Fanene, a senior, expressed concern, saying: “I'm not so worried as a student, I'm more worried about my career.” A recent survey indicated that 31% of California adults believe generative AI tools in K-12 education do more harm than good. Gillian Hayes, a professor at UC Irvine, noted that students are grappling with conflicting feelings about AI, wanting to avoid cheating while also fearing being left behind. As universities like CSU and USC integrate AI into their curricula, students like Kaleah Luby and Angelica Truong emphasize the importance of using AI as a tool rather than a replacement for learning.

Micro:bit program expands nationwide

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is expanding its coding and computer science program nationwide after a Los Angeles County pilot reported improvements in teacher confidence, instructional capacity, and student engagement. The 2025 pilot, supported by Google.org, reached more than 3,100 students and 154 teachers across 84 schools, with 95% of participating teachers reporting increased confidence in teaching computer science. Google.org is providing an additional $520,000 to expand the initiative to schools across 49 states, Washington, D.C., and two U.S. territories during the 2026-27 school year, bringing its total support to more than $1.1m. The expanded program will use the programmable BBC micro:bit for hands-on coding and will also provide access to micro:bit CreateAI, which allows students as young as eight to explore machine learning through physical AI projects.

Verify before you buy: edtech tools

In the latest episode of This Week with EdSurge, former educators discuss the critical need to verify the effectiveness of AI tools in classrooms. EdReports, an independent nonprofit reviewing K-12 curriculum, recently examined the claims made by edtech vendors about their AI features. The findings pose significant questions for district leaders considering new purchases this fall. Courtney Allison, chief academic officer of EdReports, emphasized the blurring lines between core and supplemental materials, stating, "The old line between core and supplemental materials is starting to disappear." Dr. Lewis Ferebee, CEO of EdReports and former chancellor of DC Public Schools, highlights the importance of accountability in selecting AI products for classrooms and the questions vendors should be prepared to answer.

INTERNATIONAL

French students rise up against school neglect

In France, student demonstrations against teacher shortages and poor school conditions have led to numerous injuries and arrests, primarily among minors. The protests, which began last week, coincided with a public-sector strike and have become a significant political issue as the government prepares to unveil its 2027 budget, expected to include spending cuts. "We can't work in those conditions," said Fadila, a 17-year-old student, highlighting the dire state of classrooms. Education Minister Edouard Geffray reported 76 injuries since the protests began, while Interior Minister Laurent Nunez noted that around 440 individuals were detained during the protests on Tuesday alone. Students argue that overcrowded classrooms and a lack of teachers are critical issues that need urgent attention.
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