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California
9th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California's child abuse law sparks crisis

California's Assembly Bill 218, passed in 2019, has led to a financial crisis for local governments and school districts due to a surge in child sexual abuse claims. Los Angeles USD is borrowing $250m to manage claims that could exceed $1bn in settlements. Los Angeles County is facing 5,000 new claims, with some officials calling for a revision of the law. Lorena Gonzalez, the bill's author, acknowledged that local governments have become "unintended victims" of the legislation. The law extended the time for victims to file claims, raising concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers. 

SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA STUDENTS

Why Great Teachers Don’t Guess When It Comes to Support

With California’s English Language Arts/English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework guiding instruction from preschool to high school, we’re all tuning into literacy in a whole new way. The framework’s five big ideas — Foundational Skills, Meaning Making, Language Development, Effective Expression, and Content Knowledge — aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the compass for knowing when and what kind of support students truly need to be successful readers and writers.

Teachers deserve high-quality instructional resources that enable them to pinpoint exactly when and where a student needs support — whether that’s decoding in kindergarten, vocabulary in middle school, or strategic comprehension in high school. A literacy approach rooted in evidence-based instruction and intentional monitoring ensures all students succeed.  

Dive into evidence-based practices that advance teaching and learning.

 

STATE NEWS

California schools face funding crisis

David Roth, Ph.D., superintendent of Buckeye USD, says California's Local Control Funding Formula aimed to enhance equity in school finance, but inflation and funding disparities have led to a fiscal crisis in public schools. Despite a proposed $1bn increase for community-schools grants, Roth argues that the financial strain is evident, with rising costs for pensions, insurance, and technology. The percentage of students with disabilities has also increased, further straining budgets. By 2024, over 215 districts will be significantly below the statewide revenue median, receiving nearly $2,300 less per student. "Lawmakers, educators, and the public need to become more informed about the funding outcomes of every district in the State. The data is clear," says Roth.

WORKFORCE

CSEA files labor complaints against Vallejo USD

The California School Employees Association (CSEA) has filed three Unfair Practice Charges against Vallejo City USD alleging violations of the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA). The union claims the district has refused to negotiate in good faith, created overlapping job classifications, and implemented retirement incentives without proper negotiations. CSEA Labor Relations Representative Jeremy Arnold said, "The district is moving to lay off huge swaths of employees, including whole classifications," highlighting concerns over the transfer of bargaining unit work. The union also expressed frustration over the district's lack of transparency regarding third-party contractors and the management of eliminated positions.

New superintendent brings local passion

Jason Sutter has taken over as the new superintendent of Sonoma Valley USD, emphasizing his deep connection to the community. Sutter aims to address challenges such as budget management, declining enrollment, and improving student performance, particularly for English-language learners and students with special needs.

Celebrating exceptional educators in Saratoga

Saratoga High School Community-Based Instruction teachers Sara Buffey and Christine Carlos Quiggins have been honored as Fall Semester 2025 Teachers of the Season by Special Olympics Northern California. This recognition celebrates educators who show exceptional dedication to their students and schools, particularly within the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Partnership Program.

DISTRICTS

Davis Joint Unified parents push for school advisory committee

As Davis Joint USD faces declining enrollment and potential school closures, a coalition of parents is advocating for a community advisory committee to guide decision-making. The group submitted a petition with 1,041 signatures, urging the district to ensure that decisions about school closures are "transparent, equitable and grounded in reliable data." The district is considering options that may include closing schools or reorganizing programs, with significant budget implications. Future housing developments could also impact enrollment numbers. The school board is expected to make decisions by late 2026, with a final decision anticipated by spring 2027.

Deadline approaches for TIDE students to transfer

As TIDE Academy prepares to close, students are grappling with their options for the upcoming school year. With less than three days to choose a new campus, many remain uncertain about the programs available at Woodside High School. Principal Simone Rick-Kennel described the situation as a “chicken and egg” dilemma, where student enrollment is crucial for establishing viable programs. Currently, only 60 out of 198 anticipated students have enrolled, with just nine selecting Woodside. Meanwhile, a parent group has sought legal action to halt the closure, but U.S. District Judge Trina L. Thompson denied a temporary restraining order, stating that TIDE families deserve “transparency, honesty and grace.” A preliminary injunction hearing is set for May to determine the school's future.

Rincon Valley's music program at risk?

Rincon Valley USD, serving 3,200 students, is facing an $8.5m budget deficit, prompting discussions about potential cuts to its music program. The proposed changes would shift teacher preparation time to before or after school, eliminating music instruction during the school day. The district has already planned $3.5m in savings through staff layoffs and a school closure.

Norte Vista High School changes mascot

Norte Vista High School in Riverside is set to change its mascot from the Braves to the Toros, reflecting its predominantly Latino student body. This decision follows the California Racial Mascots Act, which prohibits derogatory Native American imagery in public schools. Principal Jason Marquez said: “This new identity reflects our ‘Culture of Caring' and the unified spirit of Norte Vista High School.” The transition will include new logos and uniforms, with a mascot reveal planned for May.

Rancho Pico Junior High wins big!

Rancho Pico Junior High School achieved remarkable success at the San Fernando Valley MathCounts competition, securing first place among 21 schools and 220 competitors. “This achievement reflects months of preparation, dedication and commitment to academic excellence,” said the William S. Hart UHSD. The competition featured middle school mathematicians from various educational backgrounds.

NUTRITION

El Monte teen leads vegan school lunch drive

Emily Lin, a 17-year-old senior at Arroyo High School in El Monte, has successfully campaigned to expand plant-based options in her district’s school lunch programme. After lobbying locally and travelling to Washington, D.C., for advocacy training, she helped secure the creation of a Dietary Inclusion Council and pushed for nondairy milk options following the signing of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The district has since introduced soy milk at Arroyo High and plans to expand the option across its high schools, benefiting students with lactose intolerance, allergies and cultural dietary needs. Lin also secured a $4,000 grant to promote vegetarian meals, including new menu items such as vegan dumplings and meatballs.

INTERNATIONAL

South Korea targets AI deepfakes ahead of June education vote

South Korea is moving to ban the use of deepfake content in local education superintendent elections, extending existing election laws that already restrict AI-generated media in other political contests. Under the proposed amendment, producing or using deepfakes within 90 days of an election could lead to up to seven years in prison or fines of 10m–50m won ($6,700 - $33,500), as authorities seek to prevent misinformation ahead of the 3 June 2026 elections. The move follows controversy over an artificial intelligence-generated campaign video posted by a candidate, which sparked criticism and renewed concerns about the influence of manipulated media on election fairness.
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