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Nichelle Henderson, a trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District and labor leader, has announced her candidacy for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in the upcoming 2026 election. A former middle school teacher, she currently serves as a faculty adviser at Cal State Los Angeles. Henderson's campaign priorities include expanding dual enrollment for high school students, advocating for early childhood education, and enhancing workforce development through partnerships. “I am excited at the hope and possibility of becoming the first Black woman to hold this office,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to public education. Henderson joins a competitive field of candidates, including Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and former State Senator Josh Newman, as the current Superintendent Tony Thurmond prepares to run for governor. The primary election is set for June 2, 2026.

 

EdSource

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.*

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits.

Topics include:

• Debunking common myths about online education
  
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
  
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
  
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently conducted wellness checks at two Los Angeles USD elementary schools, claiming to ensure the safety of unaccompanied minors. However, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho refuted these claims, asserting: "We have no evidence... of a wellness check conducted by the Department of Homeland Security having taken place in Los Angeles." The district has strict protocols for such visits, which include verifying identification and requiring a judicial warrant for access. Carvalho emphasized the importance of protecting students' rights and privacy, recalling his own experience as an immigrant. He expressed concern over potential repercussions for the district, adding, "I cannot renounce my own history... Am I willing to incur and sustain personal consequence in my efforts to advocate and support hundreds of thousands of kids? Absolutely." The DHS maintains that their actions were not related to immigration enforcement but aimed at protecting vulnerable children.

 

NPR / National Public Radio

The Pajaro Valley USD board has unanimously decided to restore its contract with Community Responsive Education (CRE) for ethnic studies consulting, which had been in place from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, the board voted 4-3 to engage consultant Ignacio Ornelas Rodriguez for presentations in schools. This decision reflects the board's commitment to enhancing ethnic studies in the district, as supporters filled the board room to advocate for the contract's renewal.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

The William S. Hart Union High School District is considering a new cell phone usage policy in response to California's Assembly Bill 3216: The Phone-Free School Act, which mandates districts to limit smartphone use by July 1, 2026. Superintendent Michael Vierra noted: “The results of the survey represented there was consensus among all groups that devices should be limited in classrooms.” The proposed policy aims to restrict phone use during instructional time in junior high schools and high schools, while allowing exceptions for emergencies and specific needs. The board plans to refine the policy further, addressing concerns about cyberbullying and privacy. No action was taken during the meeting, and the policy will be revisited in the future.

 

Signalscv.com

A new legislative proposal that makes mass timber construction a focal point of the federal government’s future building plans is being advanced by a bipartisan coalition. The Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025, introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and James Risch (R-ID), and co-sponsored by Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), would establish a locally sourced and recycled timber mandate for its preferred use in new federal designs, including schools and colleges. The bill creates a two-tier contracting preference, with the first applying to mass timber coming from state, federal, private, and Tribal forestlands, and the optional second applying to mass timber products sourced from restoration practices, fire mitigation projects, and underserved forest owners. Should it pass, the Act will mandate a preference in federal building contracts for mass timber products.

 

Archinect

Wood Central

In Watsonville, teachers from the Pajaro Valley USD recently gathered to protest the board's decision to cut 60 faculty positions for the 2025-26 school year. Approximately 20 teachers rallied outside the district office, urging the board to reconsider its decision. Superintendent Heather Contreras explained that the cuts were necessary due to declining enrollment and funding issues.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

The ScholarShare Investment Board, led by Executive Director Cassandra DiBenedetto, emphasizes the importance of financial literacy for youth, stating, “Financial literacy is not natural to most communities, so it has to be taught.” On April 5, the board collaborated with Golden 1 Credit Union to host an event for high school students and families in Sacramento, focusing on banking basics and college savings through the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS). California State Treasurer Fiona Ma highlighted the initiative, saying, “Whatever you all want to be, money should not be the barrier.” Launched in 2022, CalKIDS automatically provides scholarship accounts for children born in California, aiming to reduce equity gaps and promote financial literacy. Events like these help dismantle cultural barriers around banking, as noted by Erica Taylor from Golden 1 Credit Union, who said: “Diverse communities often face cultural norms or distrust of institutions.”

 

The Sacramento Observer

The Trump administration has mandated that states must commit to ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in K-12 schools by April 24 to avoid losing federal funding. David Law, president of The School Superintendents Association, expressed confusion, stating, "The confusion is this has never happened before. We already don't allow discrimination." The Education Department's directive requires states to reaffirm compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits race-based discrimination. However, the lack of clarity around what constitutes a violation has led to varied responses from states. Some, like New York, have pushed back against the federal demands, while others, such as Arizona, support the administration's stance. The situation has created anxiety among educators, with Law noting that "monthly changing guidance... can be a distraction and can be detrimental on school systems."

 

NPR / National Public Radio

Mike Rubin, principal of Uxbridge High School in Massachusetts, reflects on a past U.S. Department of Education civil rights investigation, stating, “They allowed us to really look at our practices and procedures through a neutral lens of the law.” However, under President Donald Trump's renewed administration, the Education Department has launched over 80 investigations into schools and universities, focusing on compliance with his policies regarding transgender athletes and diversity initiatives. Maine is currently a focal point, facing potential funding cuts due to its policies on transgender athletes. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the administration's commitment to enforcing these policies, stating, “We want to make sure that if you open women's sports or intimate facilities to males, you expose yourself to federal civil rights investigations.” This aggressive approach marks a significant shift from previous practices, with experts noting the rapid pace of enforcement actions.

 

Education Week News

The West Contra Costa USD board has approved the renewal of Leadership Public School Richmond's charter for another five years, despite concerns from some of the California district's board members. Trustee Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy emphasized the need for a memorandum of understanding to ensure the charter school reports on its progress in improving representation, as only 3% of its 500+ students are Black, while 95% are Latino. Board member Jamila Smith-Folds opposed the renewal, citing limited family involvement in decision-making. This renewal marks the first since the school's founding in 2018, with the timeline extended due to the pandemic.

 

EdSource

In Sacramento County, only 38% of third graders are reading at grade level, highlighting a literacy crisis, according to the Sacramento Literacy Foundation. Rigo Tovar, a program associate, emphasized the need for municipal budgeting to support educational initiatives, stating: “We want to work alongside private philanthropy to make up for these deficits.” The foundation is advocating for the protection of Title I funds, which amount to $267m, to support low-income families. Literacy rates are even lower in unincorporated areas, with only 35% reading at grade level. The foundation recommends implementing literacy interventions to improve these rates, as they have a proven track record in enhancing early childhood literacy.

 

The Sacramento Bee

During a heated meeting on April 17, 2025, the Chino Valley school board unanimously approved a resolution urging the California Interscholastic Federation to "preserve Title IX" in order to "protect female student athletes." The board also decided to file two federal complaints against California's policies regarding transgender students. This decision reflects the board's commitment to advocating for female athletes amidst ongoing debates. As tensions rise, the board's actions have sparked significant discussions within the community.

 

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

The legal status of international students in the U.S. is facing unprecedented challenges, with over 1,024 students from 160 institutions reporting terminations since late March. Matthew Maiona, a Boston immigration attorney, noted: “It seems now like it's coming pretty fast and furious.” Many affected students, primarily from India and China, are bewildered by the sudden revocation of their visas, often without clear reasons. Lawsuits have emerged, with students claiming they were denied due process. Recent federal court rulings have temporarily restored the status of some students, highlighting the ongoing legal battles. Fanta Aw, chief executive of NAFSA, an association of international educators, emphasized the fear among student. The situation remains fluid, with many students uncertain about their future in the U.S.

 

CNN Edition

Chicago Tribune

China will integrate artificial intelligence (AI) applications into teaching efforts, textbooks and the school curriculum as it moves to overhaul its education system. The Ministry of Education has published a paper outlining how promoting AI will help "cultivate the basic abilities of teachers and students," and shape the "core competitiveness of innovative talents." It follows China’s efforts to advance AI education in universities, including new AI courses and increased enrollment. The push gained attention after DeepSeek launched a competitive large-language model in January. That month China also unveiled its first national action plan to attain a "strong-education nation" by 2035, aiming to harness innovation efficiencies in reaching the goal.

 

Reuters

Tech in Asia