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California charter schools are experiencing significant growth, with enrollment reaching nearly 728,000 students, accounting for 12.5% of all public school students. Despite this success, state lawmakers are advocating for stricter financial oversight due to recent fraud cases, including the notorious A3 Education scandal, where over $400m was misappropriated. Myrna Castrejón, president and chief executive of the California Charter Schools Association, described the current political climate as a “bare-knuckle” fight, emphasizing the need for charter advocates to continuously defend their mission. Assembly Bill 84 aims to implement anti-fraud reforms, while concerns about the regulation of nonclassroom-based charter schools persist. Kevin Humphrey, superintendent of Guajome Park Academy, highlighted the importance of hybrid programs for students facing challenges in traditional settings, adding: “These programs don’t just protect our students — they give them a future.”

 

EdSource

California's AB 218 law has led to a surge in sexual abuse lawsuits against school districts, with over 1,000 claims filed since its enactment in 2020. Victims like Samantha Muñoz, who suffered abuse in the early 2000s, are now seeking justice, stating, “It’s time to speak your truth and make it OK to talk about.” The law temporarily lifted the statute of limitations, resulting in settlements ranging from $5m-$135m, pushing some districts to the brink of financial collapse. Superintendent Diana Rigby of Carpinteria USD expressed concern, calling the situation "untenable,” with the district facing multiple lawsuits. Legislative efforts are underway to amend the law, but there is little support for limiting settlements. The financial strain on schools is likened to the challenges faced during the Great Recession, with calls for better protocols to prevent future abuse.

 

Cal Matters

West Virginia boasts the highest public high school graduation rate in the U.S., exceeding 90%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Following closely are Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. The average adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) rose from 80% in 2011-2012 to 87% in 2021-2022, despite a slight dip due to the pandemic. Factors influencing graduation rates include state-specific requirements, socioeconomic status, and the presence of private schools. Mavis Sanders from Child Trends noted that "graduation rates reflect broader issues of educational access and opportunity," highlighting the complexity of this issue.

 

The Sacramento Bee

The recent delay in federal education funding by the Trump administration has created significant turmoil for public schools, impacting vulnerable students and families. Joshua P. Starr, a former public school superintendent, emphasizes that while funding is crucial, it must be spent effectively. He notes: “We have every evidence-based program you can buy, but I'm starting to realize that we don't have any coherence and alignment in our approach.” This highlights the need for clarity and strategic planning in resource allocation. As schools face increasing demands and budget cuts, leaders must balance the necessity for stable funding with the implementation of coherent strategies to improve student outcomes. The chaos caused by funding delays underscores the importance of accountability and effective resource management in public education.

 

Education Week News

San Diego USD has approved a phone-free policy for classrooms starting in the 2025-26 school year, aligning with a national trend to reduce cellphone distractions. Superintendent Fabiola Bagula said: “Limiting the use of phones during the school day creates focused learning environments where students can fully engage with their education.” This policy allows phone use only before and after school or for emergencies. The initiative follows California's Assembly Bill 3216, which mandates all school districts to establish cellphone usage policies by July 1, 2026.

 

TTown Media

Stanislaus County school districts are facing significant financial challenges due to a federal funding freeze that affects $6.2bn allocated for K-12 public schools. The Learning Policy Institute reports that California schools could lose $811m, about 16.5% of their federal funding. Modesto City Schools, serving nearly 30,000 students, had budgeted over $3.6m from these grants for the upcoming school year. The funding freeze impacts essential programs for English learners and after-school services. Vanessa Buitrago, the new superintendent, expressed concern over the unprecedented nature of the funding impoundment, saying: “These programs support our students with the greatest need.”

 

The Modesto Bee

The Newport Beach City Council approved updates to the school resource officer program for Newport-Mesa USD, aiming to enhance safety on campuses. The program, active since 2000, assigns officers to Newport Harbor High School and a shared campus for Corona del Mar High and Middle Schools. Councilmember Lauren Kleiman emphasized the need for a modern camera system, stating: “We cannot afford to have these campuses be blind spots.” Police Chief Dave Miner supported this, highlighting the importance of real-time access to information during critical incidents. The district's board voted to renew the program for the 2025-26 school year, while discussions on camera systems are ongoing.

 

Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Petaluma police and fire departments will conduct emergency response training at Corona Creek Elementary School. The training will involve the use of blank firing weapons and loud devices, but no live ammunition will be used. Residents can expect to see emergency vehicles and hear sounds from diversionary devices designed to incapacitate individuals. This exercise is the second of two conducted within a week, with the first taking place on Friday.

 

Press Democrat

InterMotive Vehicle Controls has introduced IdleLock, an innovative anti-theft solution for Type C school buses. This system allows drivers to remove the key while the engine continues to run, ensuring that essential functions like lights and HVAC remain operational. If someone attempts to move the bus without the key, IdleLock automatically shuts off the engine. The installation is straightforward, utilizing plug-and-play connections without cutting factory wires. As noted, "IdleLock secures the vehicle while it sits idling," providing peace of mind for bus operators.

 

School Bus Fleet

Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at the Propane Education & Research Council, shares his experience transitioning Bethel School District's fleet from diesel to propane autogas buses. The Washington district's decision was driven by factors such as lower ownership costs, reliability, and reduced emissions. Stutheit noted, "Propane autogas cost about 50% less per gallon than gasoline or diesel," allowing for better budget planning. The propane buses also demonstrated superior performance, with fewer maintenance issues and longer engine life. Additionally, they produced 96% fewer harmful nitrogen oxide emissions than diesel, contributing to a cleaner environment. Stutheit emphasizes the importance of scalable refueling infrastructure, which can be installed affordably and flexibly. For many districts, including Bethel, propane autogas has proven to be the optimal fuel choice.

 

School Bus Fleet

Research from the University of Texas at Dallas reveals that Dallas ISD's policy of automatically enrolling 6th graders in advanced math has significantly increased the number of students taking Algebra 1 by 8th grade. Dareem K. Antoine, a Ph.D. student and co-author of the study, said: “The policy led to a substantial, really large increase” in early enrollment. However, the benefits were not evenly distributed; Hispanic and white students saw greater gains compared to Black students, who faced challenges such as lower eligibility rates and higher mobility. The findings suggest that while the opt-out policy has improved access, adjustments in cutoff scores and better communication across districts are essential for equitable outcomes. Trey Miller, an associate professor at UT Dallas, emphasized the importance of setting appropriate thresholds to ensure all students are adequately prepared for advanced math courses.

 

Education Week News

Cal State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has received a 4.5-star rating in Money's 2025 Best Colleges in America review. Notably, all California State University campuses scored four stars or higher, with 15 universities in the top 10% nationwide. With undergraduate tuition under $7,000, over 80% of students receive financial aid, and many graduate debt-free. CSUMB was praised for its "oceanfront views" and commitment to accessibility and affordability. Additionally, CSUMB was recognized for its innovative approach to education, winning funding for projects aimed at integrating ethical AI instruction into its teacher education program.

 

The Californian

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides has announced that material deemed by the province to be sexually explicit must be removed from school library shelves as of October 1. Explicit sexual content, defined by the province as detailed and clear depictions of sexual acts, including masturbation, penetration and ejaculation, will not be accessible to students in any grade. Non-explicit sexual content, which refers to depictions of sexual acts that are not detailed or clear, will only be accessible to students in Grade 10 or higher. Non-sexual content, such as information about puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, biological functions, kissing or hand-holding, will be accessible to all students. "This was never about erasing particular narratives from school libraries," Nicolaides explained. "This is simply about ensuring young students are not exposed to content depicting oral sex, child molestation or other very inappropriate content." School boards must review library materials, and school officials will be tasked with supervising students to make sure they are reading appropriate material.

 

CBC News