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California
23rd October 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California's early education reforms pay off

California's early education reforms have shown significant academic benefits, with children scoring 11 months ahead in reading and eight months ahead in math by third and fourth grades. The study, conducted by UC Berkeley researchers and commissioned by Stanford University, highlights the positive impact of transitional kindergarten (TK) on low-income children. Rucker Johnson, a professor of public policy at UC Berkeley and co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of these early investments, stating: “We call it finding the lost Einsteins.” The findings suggest that TK can help close the achievement gap between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. As California expands its TK program, the challenge remains to maintain quality and recruit well-trained teachers to support this initiative.

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:
  • Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  • Best practices for educator training
  • Instructional strategies and tips
  • Key benefits for you, students, and staff
Download the FlexPoint guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.

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STATE NEWS

California's English learners see progress

The California Department of Education has released data for the first time since 2021 on the percentage of English learners reclassified as “fluent and English proficient.” To achieve this status, students must score 4 on the English Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC) and demonstrate basic academic skills. The reclassification criteria vary by district, with some requiring higher standards than others. Los Angeles USD reported a 22.3% reclassification rate, the highest among large districts. However, the 2024-25 rate cannot be compared to previous years due to changes in counting methods. Oakland USD faced issues with data submission, reporting an 8.53% reclassification rate for 987 students. "Research shows it often takes students five to seven years on average to achieve proficiency," highlighting the challenges faced by English learners.

NATIONAL NEWS

Calley Means leaves White House health team amid setbacks to MAHA food policy push

Calley Means, a key adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has resigned from the Trump administration amid reported White House delays in implementing major food policy reforms. A prominent figure in the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, Means helped advance efforts to eliminate synthetic food dyes, tighten oversight of chemical additives, and restrict soda and candy purchases through federal food assistance programs. His departure follows delays to proposals requiring food manufacturers to demonstrate the safety of certain ingredients in ultra-processed foods, alongside postponed guidance on defining these products. Kennedy and the White House praised Means’ contributions, while the administration has disputed claims that its food reform agenda has stalled. His resignation follows several other departures and leadership changes involving MAHA-aligned officials.

DISTRICTS

Long Beach schools face closure crisis

Long Beach USD has decided to close Gompers Elementary School in Lakewood and Edison Elementary School in downtown Long Beach at the end of the 2026-27 academic year. The decision, made during a board meeting on October 21, was met with significant opposition from parents, students, and teachers, who expressed their concerns through signs reading, “Save Gompers” and “Don’t close our home.” Superintendent David Zaid said, “There are moments in leadership when the decisions before us are difficult, and tonight is one of those moments.” The closures are attributed to declining enrollment, which has dropped from nearly 98,000 students in 2004 to about 59,800 today, and a projected operating deficit of $45m this year. The district aims to save approximately $2.8m annually through these closures while ensuring that educational opportunities remain equitable for students.

GOVERNANCE

November school board races heat up

The upcoming November elections will see significant races for school board positions in Stockton, Lodi, and Manteca. In Stockton, which serves around 38,000 students, four local races are set, featuring incumbents like Patrick Martin and Donald Donaire, who focus on issues such as school safety and budget transparency. Martin, an applied behavior analyst, has received endorsements from the Stockton Teachers Association, while Donaire emphasizes college readiness. In Lodi, Sherry Alexander, the board president, aims to enhance community involvement and student safety. Meanwhile, Manteca has two uncontested races, with incumbents Kathy Howe and Denise Mathews continuing their roles. As the elections approach, candidates are urged to address pressing educational concerns, with Martin stating: "We need to prioritize our students' safety and academic success." 

Candidates clash over Sonoma Valley schools

The candidates for the Area 1 seat on the Sonoma Valley USD board of trustees, Amanda Radzik and Susan McIntosh, showcased their diverse backgrounds during a public forum earlier this week. Radzik, a local with experience in education and nonprofit work, emphasized the need for improved student literacy and resource allocation, stating: "We have the resources, but they're just not going in the right places." McIntosh, who has a background in user experience design, highlighted declining enrollment as a significant challenge, saying: "It's a long-term challenge, not a temporary fluctuation." Both candidates stressed the importance of student involvement in board decisions, particularly regarding policies that affect their school experiences. 

Pasadena school board faces shake-up

The Pasadena USD board of education is facing a pivotal election on November 3, as declining enrollment raises questions about potential school mergers. Incumbent Kim Kenne emphasized the need for a strategic plan, stating: “Given the number of students we currently have, that may mean having fewer schools.” Opponent Felita Kealing called for transparency and community involvement in discussions. In District 3, Michelle Richardson Bailey aims to sustain schools, while Veronica Elias views closures as a last resort. District 7 candidates Dennis McNamara and Cynthia Torres advocate for a comprehensive master plan rather than immediate closures. Torres noted: “In the aftermath of the Eaton fire, this is not the right time to pursue school closures.” The election outcome could reshape the board amid ongoing financial challenges and community concerns.

WORKFORCE

Teacher belonging key to retention

U.S. school administrators are being urged to prioritize teacher appreciation, professional development, and workplace belonging as new research reveals that one in four educators plans to leave their job within the next year. Research from the Walton Family Foundation, Gallup, and The Mattering Institute found that 41% of teachers who feel they do not belong intend to leave, compared with just 12% of those who feel supported. Only 19% of teachers could identify someone at their school who actively invests in their professional growth. To improve morale and reduce burnout, researchers recommend five measures: making recognition routine, encouraging administrators to regularly acknowledge teachers, increasing leadership visibility, balancing workloads with appropriate support, and providing opportunities for creative teaching. The findings highlight the importance of fostering a supportive school culture to improve teacher retention.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Caffeine pouches banned by schools

Caffeine pouches, marketed as discreet energy boosters, are gaining popularity among children and teens, raising concerns among health experts and school officials. These small packets, which can contain up to 200 milligrams of caffeine, resemble nicotine products, complicating identification and regulation. Rob van Dam, a professor at George Washington University, warned: “You can get into a vicious cycle where kids just don't get enough sleep for their normal development and mental health.” With nearly two-thirds of youth aged 12 to 19 consuming caffeine daily, some K-12 schools have begun banning these pouches due to health risks and potential distractions in classrooms. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against caffeine for children, emphasizing the importance of monitoring total caffeine intake to avoid adverse effects.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Teen girls arrested for murder plot

Two 15-year-old girls were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after allegedly planning a shooting at Corona High School. The investigation began on October 6 when the FBI alerted local police about social media communications indicating a potential threat. Police arrested one girl who attends Corona High and later apprehended a second girl from Norco High. Evidence revealed that the suspects had spent months researching school shootings and discussed obtaining weapons, although none were found at their homes. "The Corona Police Department is thankful to our law enforcement partners," said Sgt. Brandon Palaoro. Both suspects remain in custody while the Riverside County District Attorney's Office reviews the case.

NUTRITION

SNAP cuts drive rising school lunch debt

U.S. school districts have reported rising student lunch debt and reductions in universal free meal programs following federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which have reduced eligibility for school meal assistance. More than 5m Americans, including an estimated 2m children, have lost SNAP benefits since last year, while the average number of students receiving free school lunches declined by 600,000 to 20.7m between fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Schools are increasingly losing access to the Community Eligibility Provision, which provides federal funding for free meals to all students at qualifying campuses. In Indiana, Knox Community School Corporation has accumulated $10,000 in lunch debt, while a San Antonio district reported more than $25,000 in unpaid balances during the first six weeks of school, an 83% increase. Districts in Houston, Miami-Dade, and Virginia have also reduced free meal coverage, raising concerns about food insecurity, financial pressures on families, and growing school budget shortfalls.

RECRUITMENT

Research highlights mentorship and representation as key to recruiting more men into education

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has published research examining the factors influencing men's decisions to pursue careers in education, highlighting the importance of mentorship, family encouragement, and early exposure to teaching opportunities. Funded by a $500,000 Walton Family Foundation grant, the qualitative study interviewed 15 participants across the North Carolina Research Triangle, including high school students, undergraduates, and educators. The findings come as men account for just 21% of North Carolina's public school teachers, despite representing approximately 51% of K-12 students. Nationally, Black and Hispanic men collectively represent less than 4% of public school teachers. Researchers identified parental influence, community involvement, and encouragement from former educators as key factors shaping career choices. NCCU has emphasized the need for greater male representation, stronger mentoring programs, and increased awareness of education-related careers to help diversify and strengthen the educator workforce.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Administration drops student loan forgiveness appeals

The Trump administration has dropped two appeals challenging federal court rulings that blocked proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which provides student debt relief to eligible public-sector and nonprofit employees after ten years of qualifying payments. The administration had sought to give Education Secretary Linda McMahon authority to exclude employers deemed to have a "substantial illegal purpose," potentially affecting organizations supporting undocumented immigrants and transgender youth. Federal judges in Massachusetts and Washington blocked the changes, finding that the rules exceeded the Education Department's authority and raised constitutional concerns over free speech. The Justice Department has now withdrawn both appeals without explanation, leaving the rulings in place. Advocacy groups have welcomed the decision, which preserves existing protections for a program that has forgiven student loans for more than 1m Americans.

INTERNATIONAL

Japan proposes paid teacher training program to cut qualification time

Japan’s education ministry has announced plans to introduce a one-year graduate school program allowing working adults to transition into teaching careers, as the government seeks to address teacher shortages. The proposed initiative, targeted for introduction in fiscal 2030, would enable university graduates to qualify for elementary, junior high, or high school teaching licenses after completing at least 36 credits, including classroom instruction and practical school training. Participants would receive pay during their practical placements while working under temporary teaching licenses, reducing financial barriers to career changes. The program would also recognize previous professional experience toward licensing requirements, significantly shortening the current three-year qualification process. The ministry plans to submit legislation to parliament in 2027.

Education crisis in war-torn Sudan

In war-torn Sudan, a dedicated teacher is striving to educate 120 children in extreme conditions, including a classroom temperature of 111 degrees. Maysa Jalbout, director of Education Can't Wait, shared the story of an 18-year-old girl who, despite her hardships, urged for her siblings and friends to attend school. Jalbout emphasized the urgent need for more schools, as hundreds of children remain outside waiting for access. Gordon Brown, the U.N. special envoy for global education, highlighted that 273m children are out of school, with many affected by conflict and climate change. He stated: “If you deny a child the basic right to education, you are doing something that will affect their whole life.” The Global Partnership for Education has mobilized $3.5bn to support education in over 90 lower-income countries, but the needs far exceed available funds. Jalbout announced a $3m investment for vulnerable children in Gaza, stressing that survival is just the beginning for these children.

AND FINALLY......

Rebel yell meets school bell

Billy Idol, the iconic rock star, captivated over 1,600 students at Griffiths Middle School in Downey during a special visit ahead of his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction on Nov. 14. Dressed in black, Idol praised the Thunderbirds marching band for their rendition of “Rebel Yell” and announced significant donations to the Downey USD's music education program. “I'm fantastically glad to be here,” Idol said, encouraging students to “learn, practice, make mistakes and figure things out, and always, keep rocking.” The event, organized by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Save the Music Foundation, aims to enhance music education in schools. John Sykes, chair of the Hall of Fame, emphasized the initiative's goal to “just give kids a chance to follow their dreams.” Idol's visit left a lasting impression, inspiring students like eighth-grader Melody Ruelas, who expressed her admiration, saying: “I really love his music, I'm a big fan.”
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