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The Wichita Tribe and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California have filed a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming it misused trust fund money intended for Native children's education to finance abusive boarding schools. The lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, highlights that the government has not accounted for the estimated $23.3 billion appropriated for these programs. “The United States Government, the trustee over Native children's education and these funds, has never accounted for the funds that it took,” the lawsuit states. The tribes are demanding transparency regarding how the funds were spent and what remains. This legal action follows a 2022 report by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which condemned the legacy of the boarding school era, where many Native children suffered severe abuse and cultural erasure.

 

Merced Sun Star

NJ.com

U.S. News

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Judge Richard G. Stearns, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, has dismissed a lawsuit against a trio of reading professors and literacy curricula. The case, brought by two parents from separate families in Massachusetts, alleged that the professors and publisher Heinemann used “deceptive and fraudulent marketing” to sell their popular reading materials. It centered on two sets of reading programs, one created by Lucy Calkins, an education professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and the other by reading researchers Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell, of Lesley University and The Ohio State University, respectively. The publishers argued that the programs were backed by research even though, the plaintiffs claimed, they omitted or diminished the role of phonics instruction, which decades of reading research has demonstrated is a key component of teaching young children how to decode print. Judge Stearns wrote: "The court cannot find defendants’ research inadequate … without delving into the merits of defendants’ approaches to literacy education."

 

APM Reports

Education Week

The Huntington Beach library initiatives special election, scheduled for June 10, has ignited controversy within local governance. The City Council voted unanimously to investigate a resolution from the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees that supports Measures A and B. Councilmember Chad Williams expressed concerns about potential misuse of public resources, arguing that such conduct "raises serious legal concerns regarding the potential misuse of public resources for campaign purposes.” Ocean View School District Superintendent Julianne Hoefer and Board President Patricia Singer responded with a letter asserting their independence from the city’s jurisdiction, declaring: “OVSD will not cooperate with an investigation.” Tensions escalated as Williams criticized the framing of the school district as political opponents, while Trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin defended their right to free speech on the matter.

 

Los Angeles Times

Tara Taupier, the superintendent of Tamalpais Union HSD, has publicly apologized for mishandling an investigation into antisemitic remarks made by a teacher. The district is collaborating with local Jewish agencies to implement antisemitism and anti-bias training for teachers this fall, following a ruling from the California Department of Education that criticized the district's initial assessment of the incident. The investigation began after a complaint about a teacher's comments during the Jewish High Holy Days, which were deemed inappropriate. The state concluded that the district's findings warranted corrective action, emphasizing the need for schools to be safe and respectful environments for all students. Taupier affirmed: "Our schools must be places where every person is treated with dignity and respect."

 

Mercury News

Laguna Beach USD is poised to announce Dr. Jason Glass as its new superintendent next month. Board president Dee Perry expressed pride in the board's decision, adding that “the entire board is 100% behind Dr. Jason Glass.” With over 25 years of experience in education, Glass has previously served as vice president of teaching and learning at Western Michigan University and held leadership roles in Kentucky and Colorado. His focus on student-centered learning and innovation aligns with the district's goals. The board plans to ratify his contract at the next meeting on June 9. Acting superintendent Jeff Dixon thanked the board for its efforts during the transition, emphasizing the importance of the new appointment for the district's future.

 

Los Angeles Times

Eric Shirley, a former teacher at Elite Academic Academy, raised concerns about the charter school's financial practices after leaving in 2023. He highlighted that CEO Meghan Freeman earns over $380,000 annually while the school serves 1,800 students. A significant issue is the millions paid to a third-party corporation, Prime Educational Solutions, founded by Elite's former CEO Brent Woodard, which employs family members of Elite administrators. Shirley stated, “The intent of some of these programs is not to provide a better education. It's to put money in the pockets of administrators.” The school received $31.7m in public funding last year, raising alarms about transparency and potential conflicts of interest. Assembly Bill 84 aims to enhance oversight of charter schools, but faces opposition.

 

Merced Sun Star

Math anxiety impacts approximately 25% of students, hindering their ability to learn and pursue advanced mathematics. Viveka Vaughn, an associate professor of mathematics education at Wayne State University, emphasizes that “students may think [math] is this innate ability,” but with practice, anyone can succeed. Experts like Kevin Dykema and Braxton Hall suggest strategies for teachers to alleviate this anxiety, such as normalizing mistakes and providing students with autonomy in their learning. Dykema highlights the importance of formative assessments to gauge understanding before tests, commenting: “The more that we can do within our own classroom instead of waiting until the assessment, the better off we prepare students.” Implementing affirmations in the classroom can also boost students' confidence before exams, making them feel more prepared and less anxious.

 

Education Week News

Compton High School in California is set to open its doors this fall, offering a state-of-the-art $225m campus designed to enhance student learning. The innovative facility features a digital library, high-tech classrooms, and top-notch athletic facilities, including a performing arts center funded by Compton native Dr. Dre. "This campus is not only a culmination of years of our community's vision, it embodies our collective commitment to providing an environment where curiosity is nurtured," said student representative MyShay Causey. The new campus aims to support a student body where 93% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the community's commitment to educational improvement. Principal Larry Natividad envisions future leaders emerging from Compton, noting: "We will have a president of the United States coming from Compton."

 

Los Angeles Times

Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, argues that President Trump's actions against Harvard University represent a broader attack on higher education. The Trump administration's recent announcement prohibits Harvard from enrolling international students, which could have severe financial repercussions, as they make up 27% of the student body. Chemerinsky highlights that Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security, stated: "Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country." The administration's demands include changes in governance and faculty hiring based on "viewpoint diversity," which Chemerinsky claims violates the First Amendment. He emphasizes that this unprecedented assault on academic freedom must be condemned by Congress and university leaders to protect the integrity of the U.S. education system.

 

The Sacramento Bee

Frances Contreras, the first Latina dean of the UC Irvine School of Education, was abruptly removed from her position on March 31, 2025, without a formal review process. Contreras alleges that her dismissal was retaliation for raising concerns about misconduct and violations of law within the university. She claimed: "I was repeatedly met with inaction, retaliation and resistance," highlighting a culture of intimidation at UCI. Contreras filed a formal grievance with UCI’s Whistleblower Office, claiming that her removal was a "further attempt to silence" her. Support for her cause has come from various civil rights organizations and faculty members, who are calling for an independent investigation into her claims. Contreras emphasized the importance of speaking out against wrongdoing, saying: "Being a leader fearful of speaking truth to power is not leadership."

 

The Orange Country Register

Ontario is adding 2,600 spaces to teachers colleges across the province as it stares down a worsening teacher shortage. In the province's recent budget, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, allocated C$55.8m ($40.6m) over two years to train these new teachers by 2027. Teachers college in Ontario is largely a two-year program, but some schools offer it in 16 months with no summer breaks. “There’s obviously a growth in the elementary and secondary school population with some of the immigration and asylum that has come to Canada, but recognizing that we do have a shortage of teachers into the future, this will provide about 2,600 new teaching seats,” said Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn. He added that there will be a particular focus on northern and rural areas, technological education, and French.

 

The Globe and Mail