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The legislative session in California is nearing its end, and the fate of two contentious bills, AB 84 and SB 414, aimed at combating charter school fraud, hangs in the balance. These bills emerged after statewide investigations highlighted the need for stronger safeguards against fraud that has cost the public education system hundreds of m. Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi's AB 84 is backed by teachers' unions, while SB 414, introduced by Sen. Angelique Ashby, has the support of charter advocates. Despite negotiations resolving 80%-90% of issues, key sticking points remain, with Attorney Jerry Simmons stating: “the things that are left to negotiate over are essentially what I would call red lines for both labor and charter schools.” As the deadline approaches, a fallback bill, SB 494, has been introduced to extend a moratorium on new charter petitions, allowing more time for resolution. David Patterson, co-founder of the California Charter Authorizing Professionals, expressed hope that any enacted bill could lead to future discussions on high-quality authorizing practices.

 

EdSource

What can you do with the 2025 MAP Growth norms? Turning test results into action.

The 2025 MAP ^®; Growth™ norms are here, and while your students RIT scores are still measuring achievement on the same scale you know and trust, the reference point for interpreting those scores has shifted to reflect how students are performing today. Think of it like Google Street View updating its imagery. You’re still navigating the same streets, but now you’re seeing what the neighborhood actually looks like today, instead of photos from five years ago.

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A Trump administration policy that would exclude some immigrants from federal programs, including Head Start, has been blocked in two separate cases by federal judges in Washington and Rhode Island. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Martinez in Seattle, at the request of Head Start associations in several states, issued a nationwide injunction, barring the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from enforcing the new immigration-related restrictions anywhere in the United States. The ruling followed one from a different federal judge in Rhode Island, in a separate case by 21 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, that halted the policy from being implemented within their own states. Martinez in Thursday's ruling said HHS failed to follow necessary rulemaking requirements, adding: "Congress has operated with the 1998 HHS interpretation for years and has not included immigration status as criterion but instead widened eligibility to remove enrollment barriers." The U.S. Supreme Court recently restricted the use of nationwide injunctions, but Martinez said one was necessary in this case because some providers have preschools in multiple states, including programs designed to serve migrant farmworker families.

 

Boston Globe

Chalkbeat

K-12 Dive

Reuters

California State Senator Christopher Cabaldon’s legislation, SB 640, to automatically admit qualifying high school seniors to California State University has passed its final vote and is now awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature. This initiative aims to simplify the transition from high school to college, as Cabaldon stated, “Direct admission removes the applications hurdle that stops some students from going to college.” The bill builds on successful local programs and aims to reverse declining enrollments at several campuses. Notably, a pilot program in Riverside County saw a significant increase in paperwork completion among students offered admission. The legislation is co-authored by several key figures, including Senate Education Committee Chair Sasha Renée Pérez.

 

East Bay

California's AB 602, known as the Campus Overdose Prevention Act, aims to protect college students from suspension or expulsion when they call 911 during overdose emergencies. The bill, which has passed both houses of the California State Assembly, addresses the fear of academic repercussions that often prevents students from seeking help. TJ McGee, a UC Berkeley junior who experienced an overdose, advocates for the bill, stating: “The bill would protect students just like me from even receiving a letter like that.” The legislation requires schools to offer rehabilitation options and ensures that students who seek emergency medical assistance complete a treatment program. Advocates emphasize the need for such protections, as overdose remains a leading cause of death among young adults. The bill awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature.

 

Los Angeles Times

Fresno USD has renamed its Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Department of Culture and Student Inclusion. This change, confirmed by a district spokesperson, is part of a broader reorganization led by Superintendent Misty Her aimed at enhancing student achievement. While the rebranding comes amid national scrutiny of DEI efforts due to federal pressure, district leaders assert that it is not a direct response to such influences. Carlos Castillo, the new chief academic officer, emphasized that the “core mission and efforts” surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion remain a priority. Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas noted that these changes aim to streamline programs for better student service.

 

The Fresno Bee

The Teacher Resource Center of the North Bay, a nonprofit established in 2010, recently opened its doors at Napa's Harvest Middle School, providing educators with free school supplies. Teachers eagerly shopped for essential items like paper, pencils, and glue sticks in the school's vacant classrooms. Volunteer Patty Magro was seen organizing supplies, ensuring that teachers have what they need for the upcoming school year. As she noted, "It's all about supporting our educators." This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on teachers, allowing them to focus on their students.

 

Napa Valley Register

Casey Cuny, an English teacher at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, California, is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into his classroom. On August 27, 2025, students engaged with AI tools like ChatGPT, enhancing their learning experience. A screen in the classroom displayed guidelines for using AI, reflecting Cuny's innovative approach to education. As he prepares for class, Cuny emphasizes the importance of adapting to new technologies, stating, "AI transforms the way we teach and learn." This initiative showcases how modern tools can enrich traditional education methods.

 

Click Orlando

Saman Bravo-Karimi, Chief Business Officer of Pasadena USD, presented the 2024-25 Unaudited Actuals financial data to the Board of Education, revealing a significant structural deficit of approximately $30m. He emphasized that the true financial status is reflected in the operating deficit of $27.3m when excluding fire-related revenues. “It's the latter numbers that exclude those fire revenues and expenditures that give the truest picture of our financial status,” Bravo-Karimi stated. The district's ongoing financial struggles stem from declining enrollment, the end of one-time COVID-19 relief funds, and rising costs. A fiscal stabilization plan must be submitted to the Los Angeles County Office of Education alongside the budget due to these challenges. The final audit results will be presented in December or January, concluding last year's financial review.

 

LA Daily News

During a recent meeting on September 9, the Temecula USD school board unanimously voted to safeguard the privacy of students, particularly regarding shared spaces like restrooms and locker rooms. The board's 5-0 decision aims to provide options for parents seeking privacy accommodations for their children who are uncomfortable sharing facilities with transgender classmates. Kristen Weaver addressed the board, emphasizing the importance of these accommodations. The board's actions reflect a commitment to balancing privacy concerns with inclusivity in schools.

 

Mercury News

A school in Santiago, Chile, has initiated a groundbreaking program that blocks smartphone signals, allowing students to reconnect with their peers and the real world. Principal Humberto Garrido said: “Breaks are very lively now,” as students engage in activities like volleyball, basketball, and board games instead of scrolling through social media. The initiative, the first of its kind in Chile, aims to combat smartphone addiction and improve student well-being. Currently, it targets eighth graders but will expand to all grades soon. The program has received positive feedback, with students like 14-year-old José David expressing feelings of freedom and increased social interaction. The mayor of Lo Barnechea, Felipe Alessandri, emphasized the need for such measures, citing rising issues like anxiety and depression among youth linked to excessive screen time. The Chilean Senate is also considering a bill to regulate digital device use in schools nationwide.

 

U.S. News