Become more informed in minutes....

President Donald Trump has enacted a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping K-12 education and university funding, which may provoke significant political backlash. The orders threaten to withhold federal funds from schools that fail to disclose foreign financial support. The K-12 order calls for a report on school discipline practices such as suspensions and expulsions, as well as for model policies that are “rooted in American values and traditional virtues.” It criticizes warnings from Biden administration civil rights authorities that schools needed to address the “continuing urgency” of racial disparities in discipline. Another directive instructs the U.S. Education and Labor Departments to create opportunities for high school students to take artificial intelligence (AI) courses and certification programs, and to work with states to promote AI education. "We have literally trillions of dollars being invested in AI," Trump said. "Somebody today, a very smart person, said that AI is the way to the future. I don't know if that's right or not, but certainly very smart people are investing in it." In addition, Trump's order creates a White House Task Force on AI Education, which includes Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and will be chaired by Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

 

New Jersey Herald

Los Angeles Times

Politico

Explore the 2025 Honorees for California!

Join fellow California educators at the 33rd annual Model Schools Conference, June 22-25 in Washington, D.C. This transformative event offers expert-led discussions, strategic insights, and actionable solutions to tackle today’s biggest educational challenges. Explore key areas like strategic planning, school improvement, assessment, literacy, SPED, and effective instruction—all designed to drive real change. With 96% of past attendees rating it as an excellent learning experience, you won’t want to miss it.

Don’t miss out—register today!

 

As the federal government threatens funding cuts to school diversity programs, California has insisted that it already complies with federal law and that the Trump administration's actions are illegal. The U.S. Department of Education has set an April 24 deadline for K-12 districts to certify compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights, stated that many schools have violated their legal obligations by using diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to discriminate. California's Department of Education has already certified compliance for the 2024-25 school year and argues that the threat to withhold federal funds is unlawful. While some districts, like Chino Valley Unified, have complied, others in Southern California report no formal requests for changes. The situation remains fluid as districts await further guidance from state officials.

 

SGV Tribune

Los Angeles is proposing to lower the speed limit from 25 mph to 15 mph on 343 streets surrounding 201 schools to enhance safety for children. This initiative aims to create safer environments for students, particularly around schools that currently lack designated speed zones. As noted in the proposal, "the speed limit when children are present is already 15 mph around Monlux Elementary School." The Los Angeles City Council committee advanced this proposal on April 23, 2025, to ensure better protection for students.

 

LA Daily News

The recent Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles have devastated the local community, impacting the education of 725,000 students, particularly among disadvantaged groups. Vivien Villaverde, an associate teaching professor at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, says that schools can serve as safe havens for students, helping them cope with trauma. She advocates for proactive, trauma-informed mental health strategies to support students before crises escalate. However, many schools are struggling to provide adequate mental health resources due to federal funding cuts and staffing shortages. "Fear threatens to derail learning," says Villaverde, highlighting the urgent need for schools to address mental health challenges effectively.

 

EdSurge

Marin Transit has renewed funding for its school bus program, fulfilling commitments made in 2018 with the passage of Measure AA. This initiative aims to alleviate traffic congestion caused by school-related travel, which accounts for approximately 20% of morning traffic in Marin. The transit commission's recent decision ensures contracts with five school districts will continue through the 2027-28 school year, costing about $1.1m annually. County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters noted that while there have been proposals for state funding to support local bus services, they have not gained much traction. According to Sandra Romero, a specialized transportation services analyst, "Yellow school bus transportation programs are an effective means in reducing roadway congestion during weekday peak hours." Over 3,200 students currently benefit from this program, significantly reducing the number of cars on the road during peak school times.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Fresno USD trustees have selected Misty Her as the sole finalist for the position of superintendent, concluding a challenging 15-month search following Bob Nelson's retirement. The board voted 6-1 in favor of Her, who has dedicated over 30 years to the district in various roles, including her current position as interim superintendent. Her will be the first woman to lead the district since its establishment in 1873 and is recognized as the highest-ranking Hmong K-12 educational professional in the nation.

 

The Fresno Bee

Heartland Charter School in Kern County is planning exciting field trips this spring, including visits to In-N-Out Burger and a performance of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.' However, the school has alarmingly low vaccination rates, with only 5% of its 810 kindergarten students fully vaccinated last year, compared to the state average of 93.7%. Heartland operates as an independent study charter school, allowing parents to bypass strict vaccination laws by opting for home or online education. Jeff Rice, founder of the Assn. of Personalized Learning Schools & Services, said: "There is a tremendous amount of gray area" regarding vaccination requirements for students not attending traditional schools. The state’s vaccination laws do not clearly define "classroom-based instruction," leading to confusion about immunization requirements for school activities.

 

Los Angeles Times

Recent funding cuts by the Trump administration have severely impacted special education programs in California, particularly the Charting My Path for Future Success initiative. Angela, mother of 17-year-old Jake, expressed her distress, stating, “It was like a gut punch,” after learning that the program he relied on was cut. Stacey McCrath-Smith, director of special education at Poway Unified, noted the lack of clarity surrounding the decision, which has left educators and advocates alarmed. The SELPA Administrators of California have called for Congress to reverse the funding cuts, stating that the loss of $2.8m for special education research is "vital." Additionally, the abrupt termination of $600m in federal teacher training grants exacerbates the existing teacher shortage, further jeopardizing the education of students with disabilities.

 

EdSource

In Compton, a fumigation facility, Global Pest Management, has been releasing methyl bromide, a toxic pesticide, into the air for decades, posing health risks to nearby residents, especially children. Piedad Delgado, a concerned parent, expressed her worries, stating, “We may be getting sick but we don’t know why.” Despite the South Coast Air Quality Management District's preliminary screening of the facility, no air monitoring or community meetings have been held to inform residents of potential dangers. Methyl bromide, banned for most uses since 2005, is still permitted for fumigation of imported produce, raising concerns about its impact on public health. U.S. Representatives Nanette Barragán, Maxine Waters, and Robert Garcia have called for increased monitoring and transparency regarding these emissions, emphasizing the need for community awareness and safety.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

A new study published by Johannesburg-based SmartStart, a South African nonprofit organization, suggests that early learning programmes conducted in homes and community venues can significantly enhance children's developmental outcomes on a large scale. independent research team, led by Professor Sarah Chapman from the University of Cape Town, examined the progress of 551 children enrolled in SmartStart early learning programmes (ELPs) over an intensive eight-month period. It identified an increase in the proportion of children deemed “on track,” rising from 45% to 65%, while the number of children "falling far behind" nearly halved. There was also a reduction in the achievement gap between children from low- and high-income households, which narrowed from 25 points to six points. Kulula Manona, Chief Director for Foundations for Learning in South Africa's Department of Basic Education, said the study "shines a light on the incredible potential of our children when provided with the right developmental and learning opportunities. It underscores the critical role of community-based early learning programmes and the dedicated practitioners who deliver them in bridging the early learning access gap.”

 

IOL News