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President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, a billionaire and former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Education. The choice surprised many education experts, as McMahon was not on the initial shortlist. Trump praised her as a “fierce advocate for parents' rights,” emphasizing her commitment to school choice and local control over education. Critics, including Shaun Harper from USC, expressed concern over her lack of educational experience, saying, “America's schoolchildren and college students deserved an Education Secretary who brings deep education experience.” Supporters, however, believe her business acumen will benefit the education system. McMahon's past roles include leading the Small Business Administration and serving on the Connecticut Board of Education. In the near future, she could potentially be tasked with overseeing the Department of Education's demise or diminution, after the president-elect repeatedly called for abolishing the agency on the campaign trail. The Trump administration may also use the formal regulatory process to undo changes the Biden administration made to Title IX that sought to expand protections for LGBTQ+ students.

 

CNN

Los Angeles Times

Politico

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California is at the forefront of a national debate over transgender student athletes, with significant legal challenges emerging. Despite strong protections for LGBTQ+ students, two public universities are leaving the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics due to a ban on transgender athletes in women's sports. In a notable case, four teams in the Mountain West Conference forfeited games against San Jose State's volleyball team after a player identified a teammate as transgender. Tony Hoang, executive director of Equality California, commented: “California has robust non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students.” However, 26 states have enacted bans against transgender women competing in women's sports. The ongoing legal battles, including the lawsuit Gaines v. NCAA, highlight the tension between state protections and national policies. Advocates argue that access to sports is crucial for the mental health and well-being of transgender youth, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies.

 

Pasadena Star-News

SGV Tribune

Northern California and the Pacific Northwest are preparing for a powerful storm with heavy rain and winds, potentially causing power outages and flash floods. The Weather Prediction Center has issued excessive rainfall risks, describing the storm as a "bomb cyclone." Severe rainfall is expected from Portland to San Francisco, with flash flooding and winter storms at higher elevations. Two Sonoma County elementary schools will close today due to “anticipated severe weather,” the Office of Education reported. Montgomery Elementary and Fort Ross Elementary in Cazadero will stay closed as an atmospheric river brings rain and strong gusts. The storm is expected to bring at least three inches of rain to valleys over the weekend.

 

Press Democrat

Joanna Smith-Griffin, the founder and former chief executive of AllHere - the Boston company that created the Ed artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for Los Angeles USD - has been arrested and charged with fraud. After unveiling the chatbot in March, district officials later disconnected the tool, which was supposed to respond to any question from students or parents in an accurate, helpful and private manner. According to prosecutors, Ms. Smith-Griffin orchestrated “a deliberate and calculated scheme to deceive investors in AllHere Education, Inc., inflating the company’s financials to secure millions of dollars under false pretenses.” “The indictment and the allegations represent, if true, a disturbing and disappointing house of cards that deceived and victimized many across the country,” said LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who said recently he is optimistic that the tool can be adapted for use in the future. “We will continue to assert and protect our rights.”

 

Los Angeles Times

The Modesto City Schools' Board of Education has voted 5 to 4 to lay off 75 employees as part of a $10.6m budget reduction for the 2025-26 school year. Originally, the district estimated a need for $11.5m in cuts. The layoffs will include 36 classified employees, 22 certificated staff, and 17 management positions. Mary Mageean Morado, a second-grade teacher, expressed concern over the lack of cuts to district-level management, questioning why “if everything was on the plate,” those positions were not reduced. Superintendent Sara Noguchi emphasized the necessity of these cuts for the district's long-term fiscal health, stating: “This decision allows us to maintain core services essential to student learning and well-being.” Further cuts of $11m are anticipated for the 2026-27 school year.

 

The Modesto Bee

At Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, California, Jeff Simon, a veteran math teacher, is pioneering the use of AI tools in his classroom. He encourages students to utilize AI for solving math problems, likening it to having a "private math tutor." Simon emphasizes the importance of teaching students the ethical use of AI, stating, “We're trying to teach the ethical use of these new tools that are just going to keep on growing.” While AI tools provide quick assistance, concerns about over-reliance and academic integrity persist. Simon's approach aims to level the playing field, allowing all students access to resources previously available only to those who could afford private tutoring. Meanwhile, other educators, like Katrina Waidelich, are more cautious, implementing stricter guidelines to prevent AI-generated content in assignments. As schools navigate the complexities of AI integration, the focus remains on enhancing learning while maintaining academic standards.

 

The Columbian

Santa Monica High School was placed on lockdown on Tuesday afternoon due to unconfirmed reports of an active shooter nearby. Gail Pinsker, Community & Public Relations Officer for Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, announced: “Samohi is currently on lockdown for one call that came in to the Santa Monica Police Dept, we believe, about an active shooter.” However, the Santa Monica Police Department confirmed there was no active shooter, labeling the situation a “FALSE ALARM at Santa Monica High School.” Officers responded to reports of suspicious activity, and students were sheltered as a precaution. The police conducted a thorough search to ensure safety, ultimately determining the incident was a false alarm.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

California universities are facing a significant challenge as the Board of Regents approved a $3,400 tuition increase for new non-resident students, raising the total to $52,536 for the 2025 academic year. This increase, which is $2,208 more than the usual inflation adjustment, aims to address a projected $500m budget shortfall. While California residents will see a smaller increase of $500, the overall financial burden on non-residents could threaten the diversity that enriches the university experience. Paul Weinstein Jr. highlighted the issue of administrative bloat, noting that "the more they cater to featherbedding bureaucrats, the less they fulfill their mission." To make education more affordable, he suggests cutting non-faculty positions by 1% annually for five years.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

In Strasbourg, France, schoolchildren are being monitored with GPS devices during break times to investigate playground dynamics, particularly the dominance of boys over girls. Proponents argue that the initiative will help create a more inclusive environment. Strasbourg deputy Mayor Christelle Wieder, head of sex equality at the council, noted: "Eighty percent of the space in playgrounds is occupied by only 20% of the children, mostly boys." The council plans to redesign playgrounds to promote equality, while some commentators argue for a different approach to address gender dynamics. 

 

Daily Mail

The Times of London

The Cryptocurrency Club at Petaluma High School, founded by Jack Pattison, recently donated $5,000 to the Petaluma Health Center to enhance mental health services. This initiative arose from Pattison's concern for friends facing mental health challenges, explaining: “Seeing my friends struggle made it very clear to me there needed to be a stronger effort to address teen mental health.” The donation will support the center's behavioral health services, which cater to over 40,000 patients annually. The club, formed during the pandemic, initially focused on mining Ethereum and later switched to Ergo, allowing them to accumulate funds for philanthropic efforts. Interim chief executive Pedro Toledo expressed gratitude, highlighting the importance of youth leadership in addressing community health issues.

 

Press Democrat