Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
California
30th October 2026
Together with

THE HOT STORY

New California law centralizes school oversight

California is preparing for a major restructuring of K-12 education governance following the passage of Assembly Bill 181, which shifts authority toward the governor and a newly appointed education commissioner. The commissioner will oversee the California Department of Education, coordinate statewide policy implementation, and assume responsibilities previously held by the elected state superintendent. The next governor, taking office January 4, will appoint the commissioner, who must develop recommendations for improving school oversight, accountability, and support services. Education policy researchers advocate clearer statewide goals, stronger interventions for struggling schools, and reduced administrative burdens on districts. Marshall Tuck, executive director of EdVoice, emphasized the importance of leadership, stating: “It’s very, very important that the governor makes this a top priority and appoints the right person.” Although some stakeholders have expressed concerns about concentrating authority, supporters believe the restructuring could improve coordination, strengthen accountability, and provide clearer guidance for local educators.

DIGITAL CURRICULUM

Choose the Right Digital Curriculum

How do you determine which digital courses will meet your students’ and teachers’ needs best? Get expert answers to your digital curriculum questions in the free Digital Curriculum Buyer’s Guide from FlexPoint. While you learn how to identify quality digital courses, you’ll complete worksheets that will offer a clear path toward your goals. These insights, tips, and more are vital to making the right purchasing decisions for your school or district.

Download Free Guide

 

POLICY

Study warns permanent Daylight Saving Time could increase school commute safety risks

Permanent Daylight Saving Time could significantly increase the number of children traveling to school before sunrise, potentially raising pedestrian safety risks, according to a new University of Washington study published in Current Biology. Researchers analyzed school schedules covering approximately 8.6m students across 14 states and estimated that permanent Daylight Saving Time would create an additional 356m school commutes in darkness annually, rising to more than 2bn nationwide. An analysis of fatal traffic crashes between 2015 and 2024 found that crashes occurring before sunrise had 77% higher odds of involving pedestrians, with the odds more than doubling for children ages five to 18. However, the findings are based on observational data and modeling rather than direct evidence of how permanent Daylight Saving Time would affect crash rates. While supporters of permanent Daylight Saving Time emphasize longer evenings and eliminating seasonal clock changes, medical organizations favor permanent standard time for its alignment with natural sleep cycles. The research highlights the importance of balancing evening daylight benefits against potential risks to children's safety during morning commutes.

Schools rethink Halloween as educators weigh inclusivity, safety, and student morale

U.S. schools are taking different approaches to Halloween celebrations as educators balance student enjoyment with concerns about safety, cultural sensitivity, affordability, and classroom disruption. While some schools restrict costumes over concerns about offensive outfits or families that do not celebrate the holiday, others have introduced optional activities, book-character dress-up days, and afternoon festivities to make celebrations more inclusive. At Brentwood Middle School in Colorado, Halloween celebrations span an entire week, featuring pumpkin-themed cooking activities, scavenger hunts, and staff participation. Educators at other schools have highlighted costume parades, cultural hero celebrations, and family events as opportunities to strengthen school communities and boost morale. The differing approaches reflect an ongoing debate over how schools can preserve popular traditions while respecting diverse family preferences, maintaining safety, and minimizing disruption to learning.

STATE NEWS

California voters face $12.6bn bond decisions

Voters in 82 California school districts will decide on 87 bond measures totaling $12.6bn this year. Among these, San Diego USD is proposing a $3.5bn bond, the largest local school bond measure. Experts, including Sarah Hinkley from UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities and Schools, predict that about 75% of the measures will pass, but rising living costs may make voters hesitant. Hinkley said: “Certainly there’s a widespread sense that people are having a harder time, and watching bills go up.” The bond measures aim to fund essential repairs and improvements, with the average bond seeking $144.5m. The smallest bond, at $2.8m, is for a gymnasium in Westmorland Union Elementary School District. State law mandates oversight by a citizen bond oversight committee for projects funded by these bonds.

California's prop 3: a fiscal gamble

Proposition 3 aims to permanently extend temporary income tax increases on high earners, with the California Teachers Association (CTA) advocating for it to prevent "teacher layoffs, overcrowded classrooms and bigger class sizes," according to CTA president David Goldberg. However, California's public school enrollment has been declining for nine consecutive years, with projections indicating a drop of 710,500 students by 2035-36. Los Angeles USD (LAUSD) faces significant financial challenges, having been designated as “not a going concern” due to unsustainable labor contracts. The Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) assessed LAUSD's risk of fiscal insolvency as “high,” emphasizing the need for better alignment of expenditures with revenues and enrollment. The CTA's push for tax increases raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures in addressing the underlying fiscal issues. Voters are encouraged to consider the implications of Prop 3 on education funding.

NATIONAL NEWS

Declining enrollment strains public school budgets

U.S. public school districts are facing mounting financial pressures as declining birthrates drive down student enrollment, reducing government funding and forcing difficult decisions over staffing, educational programs, and school closures. Nationwide K-12 public school enrollment fell 3.7% to 48.8m students in 2025–26 compared with 2017–18, with further declines expected as smaller birth cohorts enter the education system. In Methuen, Massachusetts, a $4m gap between the school district's proposed $118m budget and the city's available funding for 2026–27 prompted proposals to eliminate more than 100 positions and reduce programs, although an additional $800,000 helped preserve after-school activities and limit job losses to dozens of positions. Other Massachusetts districts are considering school closures, reduced transportation, and shorter kindergarten schedules as enrollment declines, while demand for special education and English-language support continues to increase. School leaders are exploring facility consolidation, expanded vocational education, and in-house special education services to manage costs

Inclusive school facilities could ease staffing pressures

U.S. school districts are being encouraged to prioritize inclusive, adaptable building design to better support special education teachers and students amid persistent staffing shortages, with 45 states reporting shortages during the 2024–25 academic year. Education facility specialists argue that outdated classrooms, inadequate sensory spaces, and limited accessibility can increase staff workloads, undermine student support, and contribute to retention challenges. Recommended improvements include flexible learning areas, calming rooms, acoustic controls, accessible restrooms, and dedicated therapy spaces, alongside locating special education classrooms closer to general education facilities to encourage inclusion and collaboration. District officials are encouraged to involve teachers and paraprofessionals early in renovation and construction planning to ensure facilities reflect daily operational needs.

CURRICULUM

Trump administration probes ethnic studies

The Trump administration is investigating San Francisco USD's ethnic studies program due to concerns over parental consent for sensitive student surveys. Frank Miller, director of the Student Privacy Policy Office, said: “Students should not be pressured into identifying intimate details about themselves and their families without parental awareness and consent.” The investigation focuses on the “Voices” curriculum and an activity called “The Wheel of Power,” which critics argue requires students to categorize themselves by race and income. The Department of Education's announcement indicated that the district may have violated federal law by administering required surveys without parental consent. This scrutiny follows previous challenges to the district's policies, including a review of gender and sexuality content. The ethnic studies curriculum has sparked significant debate within the community, with some advocating for a more ideological approach while others prefer a focus on cultural appreciation.

TECHNOLOGY

Gap between student AI adoption and classroom instruction

Project Tomorrow's 2025–26 Speak Up National Report has highlighted growing student demand for artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, critical thinking, and practical technology skills, drawing on feedback from more than 95,000 students, parents, educators, and administrators across 1,023 US schools. The survey found that 46% of high school students learned about AI independently, compared with 30% through classroom instruction, while weekly or daily AI use for studying and research increased from 23% in 2023–24 to 40% in 2025–26. Students emphasized the importance of understanding how AI generates information, identifying inaccuracies and bias, and applying technology to real-world challenges. Nearly half of high school respondents wanted stronger connections between classroom learning and practical applications or future careers. However, only 11% of teachers reported feeling very comfortable allowing students to use AI, highlighting a gap between student adoption and classroom readiness. 

GOVERNANCE

Candidate accused of Trojan Horse tactics

In the San Dieguito UHSD election, candidate Summer Boger faces accusations of concealing a far-right agenda. KPBS reported that Boger, who presents herself as an educator and healthcare practitioner, has made controversial claims about vaccines, suggesting they contain "aborted fetal tissue" and contribute to children identifying as gay or trans. She stated: "We know that satanic rituals feed on the blood of innocent children," linking her views to abortion clinics. Despite these allegations, Boger emphasized her focus on the responsibilities of a school board member, asserting that the board does not set vaccine or abortion policies. Endorsed by the San Diego Republican Party, she is competing against Helen Doyle in the upcoming election.

DISTRICTS

New San Francisco school opens for special needs

San Francisco USD has opened the Extensive Support Needs School in Chinatown, aimed at providing education for students with autism and intellectual disabilities. Superintendent Maria Su emphasized: “Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and build independence in a setting that meets their individual needs in their community.” The school will enroll 16 students this year, with plans for an additional 16 next year. This initiative seeks to reduce reliance on costly non-public schools, which often require long commutes. The facility includes specialized rooms for occupational and speech therapy, and aims to offer comprehensive support for students with complex needs.

Racism uproar in Santa Barbara schools

Concerns regarding racism in Santa Barbara Unified Schools intensified after a TikTok video featuring San Marcos High School students in an ethnic studies classroom depicting 'blackface' went viral. In response, the district announced a new five-step protocol for addressing racist incidents, which includes investigation and follow-up with affected students. Chief Operating Officer Steve Venz emphasized the need for clear consequences for discriminatory actions. Community members, including Jazmyn Jackson from Healing Justice, criticized the district for not providing consistent support for Black students, stating: "Black students should be deserving of support year-round." The district's Committee Advancing Black Achievement is advising on improved responses to racism, with Superintendent Hilda Maldonado assuring that actions will be taken promptly.

HIGHER EDUCATION

California expands prison higher education access

California has significantly expanded higher education opportunities for incarcerated individuals over the past decade, with 495 students now pursuing bachelor's degrees across 13 prison programs, more than double the number enrolled three years ago. Since legislation introduced in 2014 enabled publicly funded college courses in prisons, universities have awarded at least 390 bachelor's degrees, while nearly 10,000 incarcerated students are currently enrolled in community college programs. California State University, Los Angeles has launched a new bachelor's program for 34 students at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, supported by a recently opened $239m education facility. Further expansion is planned at UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside, and Cal State LA, although university officials have highlighted funding constraints, with the state allocating $5.5m annually to prison bachelor's programs compared with $17m for community college education. Supporters argue that expanding access to higher education can improve rehabilitation, reduce repeat incarceration, and strengthen employment prospects after release.

Students rally for voter engagement

Jasmine Calderon, secretary of Napa Valley College's Associated Students, is spearheading a voter registration initiative ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections. The effort is part of the California University and College Ballot Bowl, which encourages campuses to register students and submit voting plans. Calderon stated: “If I could just give them a small hand, I think that's the most important thing.” As of Oct. 27, NVC has recorded two voter registrations and 24 student voting plans, ranking 22 out of 241 participating campuses. Calderon and fellow student Lionel Williamson emphasize the importance of personal engagement, with Williamson noting: “The world that you vote for today is what the world will turn into.” They aim to combat misinformation and promote civic awareness among their peers, believing that informed voting is crucial for community empowerment.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario Education Minister reverses trustee decision

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has reversed plans to delay swearing in newly elected trustees at provincially supervised school boards, citing concerns that some trustees could exploit their unofficial status to avoid codes of conduct. Trustees are now expected to be sworn in by mid-November, although they will remain sidelined at boards under provincial supervision, including those in Toronto, Peel Region, and Ottawa. The decision follows more than a year of provincial intervention in school board governance, during which elected trustees have lost financial oversight and collective bargaining responsibilities. Toronto Catholic trustee Maria Rizzo has criticized the government's approach and announced plans to hold independent public meetings to engage parents, potentially challenging restrictions on trustee activities. While trustees will retain limited advocacy responsibilities at boards not under supervision, those at supervised boards will remain without operational authority. The province has not provided a timeline for restoring local governance, raising continued concerns about democratic accountability and parental representation.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe