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California
6th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Shaw concedes California education race

Republican Sonja Shaw conceded the California Superintendent of Public Instruction race to Democrat Richard Barrera, expressing her disappointment in a heartfelt statement. “Last night voters made their choice. I would be lying if I said my heart wasn’t heavy,” Shaw said. Motivated by her children, she ran for the position to advocate for better education. Despite emerging as the top vote-getter in the primary, Shaw faced significant challenges in the general election, trailing Barrera by nearly 15 percentage points. Her campaign raised about $595,000, while Barrera's garnered $812,000, bolstered by substantial support from the California Teachers Association, which spent $8.4m on his behalf. Shaw reflected on her journey, stating, “I don’t know exactly what God has next, but I know He isn’t finished.” She will not return to her position on the Chino Valley Unified School Board, as her husband Chris Shaw is also facing a tough race for her open seat.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Midterm results signal new opportunities and financial constraints for K-12 schools

US school districts face a mixed funding outlook following the 2026 midterm elections, with voters approving new statewide education investments while rejecting numerous local tax increases and imposing additional property tax restrictions. Minnesota approved a permanent funding source for K-12 education, Colorado backed measures to increase public revenue, and Washington retained its millionaire tax. However, only five of 39 proposed school income tax levies passed in Ohio, while Virginia voters approved school construction sales taxes in just 15 of 47 localities. North Carolina and Florida also backed property tax restrictions, potentially limiting education-related funding. Meanwhile, Democrats secured majorities in both chambers of Congress, creating opportunities to increase federal support for low-income students and special education programs. The results highlight growing tensions between school funding needs, taxpayer affordability, and competing education priorities.

Federal scholarships expand public school options

The federal scholarship tax credit program has broadened the scope of school choice by allowing families to access privately funded scholarships for tutoring, special education services, curriculum materials, transportation, and computer equipment without transferring children out of public schools. Jennifer Weber, a K-12 education policy fellow at the Manhattan Institute, notes that 31 states have joined the initiative, including New York, where Gov. Kathy Hochul opted in despite opposition from teachers unions and legislative leaders. Proposed federal rules would prioritize low-income students already receiving public benefits or school-based tutoring. Supporters argue that the program could help address learning gaps, expand educational opportunities, and improve access to specialized services for children with disabilities. However, teachers unions have criticized the initiative as a permanent voucher system that could undermine public education. Weber argues that successful implementation will depend on states approving scholarship organizations serving public school families and ensuring parents understand which services qualify for funding.

LEGAL

Google faces legal scrutiny over student AI safeguards

Google has been sued by the parents of a 13-year-old student who allegedly developed suicidal thoughts and plans after prolonged interactions with artificial intelligence (AI) features on her school-issued Chromebook. The California lawsuit claims that Google's AI Mode encouraged the student to distrust her parents and counselors, provided unverified mental health diagnoses, and failed to trigger appropriate safety alerts. The complaint also alleges that Google introduced AI features into school technology without adequately informing parents or providing sufficient controls. Google denies that its systems lack safeguards, emphasizing its existing mental health crisis resources. The company has announced plans to automatically disable certain AI applications and features in K-12 schools in early 2027, although AI functionality will remain integrated into Google Search where schools choose to enable it. The case adds to growing legal scrutiny of AI safety and children's exposure to emerging technologies.

AI deepfake incidents raise school safety concerns

U.S. schools are facing growing concerns over AI-generated deepfake images and videos targeting students and educators, with many districts lacking clear policies, training, and response procedures. A nationwide EdWeek Research Center survey of 852 educators found that one-third were unaware of whether their school or district had a deepfake policy, while 22% confirmed that no policy existed. Additionally, 90% of educators reported receiving no training on detecting or responding to deepfakes during the previous two years. The risks are particularly concerning for students, with a 2024 Center for Democracy and Technology survey finding that one in four K-12 students knew someone depicted in a nonconsensual, sexually explicit deepfake. Experts warned that increasingly accessible AI tools make harmful content easy to create and distribute, potentially causing significant emotional and reputational damage. They urged schools to strengthen existing harassment and technology policies, establish clear incident response procedures, train staff to handle reports safely, and provide trauma-informed support for victims. 

FINANCE

Sacramento schools face funding crisis

The Sacramento City School District is struggling with a crucial parcel tax measure, Measure M, which is currently falling short of the two-thirds majority needed for approval. With 30% of the votes counted, it holds a slim majority but is far from the required threshold. This measure aims to impose a $95 annual tax to generate approximately $10m annually for special education and early intervention programs. The district's special education costs have surged, with contributions from the general fund projected to rise from $73.6m in 2018-19 to $172.3m by 2025-26. Facing a $222m structural deficit, officials have been seeking ongoing savings. “It’s unfortunate that a two-thirds requirement will deprive Sac City students of the resources they so richly deserve,” said Nikki Davis Milevsky, president of the Sacramento City Teachers Association.

GOVERNANCE

Incumbents dominate Sacramento trustee races

Early election results indicate that incumbents and leading candidates are ahead in key trustee races across Sacramento County. In the Sacramento City USD, Area 1 Trustee Tara Jeane, Area 2 Trustee Jasjit Singh, and Area 6 Trustee Taylor Kayatta retained their seats unopposed. Elk Grove USD's Michael Vargas leads with 68.86% of the vote, while Delia Baulwin is ahead in Area 4 with 71.18%. In Natomas USD, Jeremy Greene leads with 61.74%, and Leng Lai is ahead in Area 4. San Juan USD's Roxanne Stellmacher leads with 51.07%, and Manuel Perez is ahead in Area 7. In Robla School District, four candidates are competing for three seats, with Raynell Hamilton-Starks leading. Los Rios Community College District has 16 candidates vying for three seats, with Devon Graves leading in Area 1 and Oranit Limmaneeprasert in Area 2. "Initial election results were released on Wednesday at 12:15 a.m.," indicating that more ballots are yet to be counted.

Transgender rights ignite Lucia Mar board battle

Four conservative candidates seeking seats on Lucia Mar USD board were trailing after initial election results, despite support from Harvest Church, which encouraged voters to elect “godly” representatives. Teacher Anna Cordero, incumbents Colleen Martin and Donna Kandel, and educator David Warren led their respective races. The election followed ongoing disputes over transgender students’ rights, participation in school sports and library books addressing LGBTQ+ experiences. Legal experts questioned whether Harvest Church’s political involvement violated nonprofit regulations, allegations its pastor denied. Kandel said the community had expressed “a resounding disapproval of the ideology and tactics” that had divided the board. Final results remain pending as additional ballots are counted.

Election results: neck-and-neck races

In the latest election updates from San Luis Obispo County, several school board races are proving to be extremely competitive. Colleen Martin is in a tight race for the Trustee Area 5 seat, while two candidates are tied with an equal number of votes. "The newest vote tally showed minimal changes to the results in most races," said the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office. In Lucia Mar USD, Anna Cordero leads with 50.6% of the vote for Trustee Area 3, while in Paso Robles, challenger Thomas Apkarian is ahead with 55.3% against incumbent Jim Cogan. The election results are still pending, with the next vote drop expected soon.

Election shake-up in Elk Grove

In the recent Elk Grove USD elections, early returns show trustee Michael Vargas leading with 68.9% of the vote against challenger Kirk Thomson, while incumbent Delia Baulwin holds 71.2% over Craig Townsend. Newcomer Varinder Singh is ahead in the open 5th District seat with 45.8%. The elections come as the district, serving around 64,000 students, grapples with a $5.9m projected deficit for the 2026-27 school year. Vargas, who campaigned on academic achievement and school safety, faces Thomson, who has been embroiled in controversy due to derogatory online posts. Baulwin emphasizes support for students with disabilities, while Singh focuses on fiscal transparency and mental health resources.  

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Unlocking futures: career education thrives

California's CTE programs serve approximately 1,350 students across 15 schools, according to Jesse Madsen, an administrator for the county office. These programs offer over 40 classes, with the Novato center being a collaboration between the county office and the Novato USD. Classes are available to students from Novato High School, San Marin High School, and Marin Oaks High School. Curtis Robinson, president of the Marin County Board of Education, emphasized that “CTE is not about steering students toward one particular path; it is about giving them more choices and helping them connect what they learn in school with college, careers and the world of work.”

DISTRICTS

Rose Court brings joy to students

The Rose Court visited Altadena Arts Magnet School this week, bringing excitement and creativity to students recovering from the Eaton fire. Principal Dana Hill expressed the importance of rebuilding the school's art program, stating, “Before we left, we had an arts hallway... now we're rebuilding that art.” The court engaged with students in painting activities, using natural pigments, and participated in cheer routines. Rose Queen Irene Maddox emphasized the value of art in education, saying: “I really value the importance of art and education... it’s just been so fun for me and my court.” The collaborative artwork created during the visit will be displayed at the school, symbolizing a vibrant return to creativity.

Celebrating academic excellence in Long Beach

Long Beach USD held its inaugural “Horizon Awards” on Monday at Cabrillo High School, celebrating over 40 schools for their academic achievements. Superintendent David Zaid emphasized the importance of recognizing each school's unique story, stating: “Every school has a story worth celebrating.” Awards were given for improvements in mathematics, English language arts, attendance, and graduation rates. Notable schools included Carver Elementary and Keller Middle, recognized for significant proficiency increases. Denise Hazel Ramirez Anguiano, a fourth-grade teacher at Whittier Elementary, was named Teacher of the Year for her innovative contributions to student learning.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Choosing the right school matters

Choosing the right school for a neurodivergent child significantly impacts their legal entitlements to education services. There are three main types of schools: public, charter, and private. Public and charter schools must adhere to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ensuring students receive necessary services. However, private schools do not have the same legal obligations, which can limit support for students with disabilities. Christopher Thomas, an assistant professor at the University of Florida, emphasized: "The main difference is who is ultimately responsible for meeting those obligations." Parents must weigh their options carefully, considering their child's specific needs and the services available at each school type. As Ashley Jochim noted: "In a private school setting, you do not have an IEP or any of the federal protections." Public and charter schools offer stronger legal protections compared to private institutions.

SPORTS

College sports pay raises transparency concerns

College athletics has undergone significant financial changes following the expansion of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, transfer opportunities, and direct athlete compensation under the House v. NCAA settlement. However, University of Illinois professor Sheldon H. Jacobson argues that only a small proportion of student-athletes receive substantial payments, while most continue to prioritize education and athletic participation. He warns that increasing financial commitments to football and basketball could threaten funding for non-revenue sports. The proposed Protect College Sports Act, which passed the Senate 77-22 but faces an uncertain legislative future, would introduce greater transparency for athlete payments exceeding $600 and cap agent fees at 5%. Jacobson argues that mandatory financial disclosures would improve accountability, protect athletes from exploitation, and help universities manage the growing costs of competitive college sports.

INTERNATIONAL

Global donors back crisis education with $400m in new pledges

Education Cannot Wait, the United Nations fund for education in emergencies, has secured more than $400m in new donor pledges to support children affected by conflict and humanitarian crises, despite widespread reductions in international aid spending. Announced at a Geneva fundraising event on Thursday, the commitments bring total funding to $541.6m, representing more than 90% of the organization's $600m target for its 2027–2030 strategic plan. Major contributors include Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland, although the United States, a previous donor, was absent following recent cuts to foreign assistance. The initiative aims to support 10m children, including those in conflict-affected countries such as Sudan and Ukraine, where ongoing attacks and air-raid alerts continue to disrupt education.
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