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California Gov. Gavin Newsom's May budget revision for 2025-26 proposes significant changes to California's education system, including a $15 million pilot program aimed at redesigning middle and high schools. State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond emphasized the need for transformation, commenting: “If public schools are to survive, they will have to be transformed to be more responsive.” Additionally, the budget allocates $1.1 billion to help districts recover from post-pandemic learning lags, with a focus on community input for spending. A temporary fix of $7.5m is also proposed to address funding for transitional kindergarten English learners. Furthermore, the decline in student enrollment may lead to increased per-student funding, providing new opportunities for educational programs. Julien Lafortune from the Public Policy Institute of California noted, the declining enrollment “dividend” is “kind of a boon for the education system.”

 

EdSource

Stay Compliant: Your State’s K-12 Training Requirements

State training mandates can change rapidly, making it complicated for K-12 schools and districts to stay current on mandates and state compliance. Download your state's compliance guide for compliance requirements, links to related legislation or policy documentation, details on training requirements for staff and students, and more.

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The Trump administration has published new details of its plans to wind down the U.S. Department of Education, revealing how the agency will support students with disabilities, and those from low-income families, while also cutting federal bureaucracy. The more comprehensive budget released on Friday recommends a total of $66.7bn for all Education Department activities, 15.3% down on its current funding level. “Our goal is clear: to make education better, fairer, and more accountable by ending Federal overreach and empowering families, schools, and States who best know the needs of their students,” the budget document said. Funding for Title I, Part A grants to low-income school communities is maintained at $18.4bn, while $14.9bn is budgeted for Part B state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a $677.5m increase. Additionally, the budget consolidates 18 smaller programs including teacher training, school safety, and students experiencing homelessness, into one grant, cutting funding from approximately $6.5bn to $2bn. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon will appear before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee panel today to discuss the funding requests.

 

K-12 Dive

NPR / National Public Radio

As schools approach summer break, immigration advocates emphasize the need for continued support for immigrant students and families amid rising fears of deportation. Alejandra Vázquez Baur, a fellow at the Century Foundation, said: “This is not a time to take a break from open communication with your families.” Schools are urged to maintain engagement through summer programs, resource fairs, and open communication to ensure families feel safe returning in the fall. In New York City, 16.3% of students are English learners, many from immigrant backgrounds, and districts are implementing tailored summer programs to connect with these families. Similarly, Metro Nashville public schools are hiring immigrant youth transition specialists to assist newly arrived students. Vázquez Baur also highlights the importance of strengthening partnerships with community organizations to reassure families about their safety in schools. Monitoring immigration policy changes is crucial for districts as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

 

Education Week News

Saugus USD has postponed a special meeting originally set for June 11 to discuss student behavior. Superintendent Colleen Hawkins explained that the timing, coinciding with the end of the school year, would not allow for meaningful updates from the behavior council. The goal remains for the council to provide recommendations for school sites after completing their training.

 

Signalscv.com

The California Teachers Association (CTA) has raised concerns after approximately 3,000 teachers were laid off due to budget constraints linked to declining enrollment and the depletion of federal COVID relief funds. David Goldberg, president of the CTA, stated, "It is raining now. It is pouring now," emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He criticized school districts for mismanaging funds and urged them to reconsider administrative salaries to limit layoffs. Ron Hacker, chief business officer at Santa Ana USD, explained that revenue is directly tied to student attendance, leading to the necessity of layoffs as COVID funding ceases. The CTA warns that these layoffs will result in larger class sizes and negatively impact student learning.

 

Merced Sun Star

The Cabrillo USD Governing Board has approved a 5% salary increase for teachers, classified employees, and district administrators. The decision, made during the board's May 15 meeting, marks a significant step following years of tension between the district and teachers, which eased after a previous agreement that prevented a strike. Earlier this school year, a 2% salary increase was also implemented. The new raise was established through negotiations that took place over the past two months.

 

Half Moon Bay Review

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond have introduced new resources to enhance literacy in a state where nearly 28% of adults struggle with basic reading. The California Literacy-Biliteracy Professional Learning Pack aims to support educators in improving student outcomes, especially for younger readers. The pack includes the California Literacy Roadmap's Literacy Content Blocks for English-Medium Classrooms and the Preschool Through Third Grade Learning Progressions for Language and Literacy Development. Newsom emphasized, "Learning to read is the start of the pathway to success," while Thurmond noted that literacy is essential for lifelong learning. However, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher criticized the initiative, stating it lacks focus on real phonics-based instruction amid declining test scores.

 

The Sacramento Bee

The West Sonoma County school district is undergoing significant leadership changes as Superintendent Matt Dunkle and Principal Merrie Rivera resign. Dunkle, a prominent figure in the local education landscape, has held various roles, including principal at the now-closed El Molino High School. The school board is moving swiftly to fill these critical positions. The district is now focused on finding suitable replacements to ensure continuity and stability in leadership.

 

Press Democrat

Modesto City Schools will provide free lunches to children under 18 through their Seamless Summer Feed Program from June 4 to Aug. 1. This initiative, which has been running for several years, has served over 1,300 students annually. Criss Atwell, the senior director of Nutrition Services at Modesto City Schools, stated, “This program ensures that no child in our community goes without a nutritious meal during the summer break.”

 

EdSource

The Adelanto Elementary School District is launching a free summer meal program for all High Desert youth aged 18 and under, regardless of their school district. Krissy Cooley from the district's Child Nutrition Services expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, which typically serves around 100 children daily. Meals will be available from June 9 to July 13, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Donald F. Bradach Elementary, with no service on June 19 for Juneteenth. The location was chosen for its centrality within the district. Additional meal pickups will be available at Imogene Garner Hook Junior High in Victorville. For more details, visit the USDA's summer meal site finder.

 

Daily Press

Julia Clauson, the current student member of the California State Board of Education, emphasizes the importance of student involvement in education policy. "It’s an immense responsibility to be the only student with voting rights on the board," she reflects as her term concludes. The application process for the next student board member opens for the Class of 2027, encouraging students to apply. The selection involves multiple stages, including presentations at the Student Advisory Board on Education (SABE) and interviews with the State Board. Clauson highlights her experiences advocating for peers and engaging with policymakers, including discussions on cell phone policies. She also created a social media account to connect with students and share information about opportunities. "Competing for the position offers invaluable leadership and communication skills," she notes, urging all eligible students to consider this unique opportunity.

 

EdSource

Larry Ferlazzo, an English and social studies teacher at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, is retiring and has shared valuable advice for new teachers. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students, stating, “students tend to learn more from teachers they like.” Ferlazzo encourages educators to show care, use humor, and be flexible in their approach. He advises against taking things personally and suggests that new teachers should seek help from colleagues, as asking for assistance is a sign of strength. He concludes with a reminder that “losing a teacher hurts everyone,” highlighting the collective interest in teacher success. For more insights, Ferlazzo invites readers to explore his previous posts on teaching advice.

 

Education Week News

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is inviting public comments on proposed amendments to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213 regarding child restraint systems (CRSs) by June 30. Key proposals include exempting school bus CRSs from side impact requirements if they meet specific labeling standards, delaying the compliance date to December 5, 2026, to avoid market disruption, and changing testing procedures for forward-facing CRSs. The NHTSA aims to address concerns raised by CRS manufacturers, stating that the amendments will "prevent market disruption resulting in reduced availability of CRSs."

 

School Bus Fleet

Castaic USD has informed families that it will not provide home-to-school transportation for general education students in the upcoming year, only for those in special education. Superintendent Bob Brauneisen stated, “We will continue to provide transportation for students receiving special education services as required by their Individualized Education Programs.” The decision follows a reduction of over 50% in the district's transportation department. Assistant Superintendent Irene Boden noted that the district is struggling to recruit bus drivers due to a statewide shortage, commenting: “We are actively working to recruit and hire qualified bus drivers.”

 

Signalscv.com

The U.S. Justice Department has intensified its efforts to prevent transgender athletes from participating in California school sports, warning districts of potential legal consequences if they do not comply with new directives. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that allowing transgender athletes to compete “would deprive girls of athletic opportunities and benefits based solely on their biological sex,” violating the U.S. Constitution. This warning follows a recent victory for 16-year-old transgender athlete AB Hernandez, who won multiple medals at the state championships. Dhillon's letter demands that districts certify by June 9 that they will no longer follow the California Interscholastic Federation's rules permitting transgender participation. Critics, including LGBTQ+ advocates, argue that the administration's actions are politically motivated rather than focused on protecting athletes' rights. Hernandez's mother expressed her heartbreak over the situation, emphasizing her child's desire to compete and thrive like any other student.

 

Los Angeles Times

Students in Quebec are calling for changes to the weighting of their ministerial exams. The province is the only one in Canada where some final exams account for 50%of high school students' final grades. While it has standardized Grade 10 and 11 exams in French, English, mathematics, history and science, all worth 25%-35% of final grades, other subjects, including basic French as a second language, count for 50%. Grade 11 student Luca Di Fiore, said the final exam feels like a judgment, adding: "To hear that one test that you do at the end of the year, irrespective of everything you've accomplished throughout the entire year, could just change everything for you [is unfortunate]." Paul Berry, a Grade 10 and 11 mathematics and history teacher at Options High School, is also advocating for a reduction in the final exam's weight. "[The government treats] these exams like they're sacred texts and like they're the be-all and end-all," he said, adding: "There's nothing really in life where you're going to be facing that type of situation … It's just not the way the real world works." However, Education Minister Bernard Drainville said that there are no plans to change the system. "Fifty percent to ensure equality, to ensure that we can compare results from one school to the next, from one region to the next," he told reporters last week.

 

CBC News