Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
California
24th March 2026
Together with


THE HOT STORY

Chávez legacy in turmoil

The recent sexual abuse allegations against César Chávez have prompted educators across California to urgently revise their lesson plans regarding the labor leader. Teachers, such as Kimberly Young from Culver City High School, are grappling with how to address Chávez's complex legacy in age-appropriate ways. “The regular class plan went out the window,” Young said, as she navigates student reactions to the news. The California Department of Education has advised instructors to focus on the broader farmworker movement rather than Chávez as an individual. Gabriel Gutierrez, chair of the Department of Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies at Cal State Northridge, emphasized the need to confront Chávez's controversial aspects directly. Meanwhile, LA USD officials are set to consider an emergency resolution today that would remove César Chávez’s name from two district campuseshe proposal would affect César Chávez Learning Academies in San Fernando and César Chávez Elementary School in El Sereno, with the renaming process slated for completion by the fall. The measure would also rename César Chávez Day as “Farmworkers Day” to recognize the broader contributions of farm laborers in California.

MCGRAW HILL - MATH EQUITY

Advance Equitable Math Learning in California

Meaningful mathematical discourse is essential to California’s vision for equitable, student‑centered learning. When classrooms prioritize communication, collaboration, and reasoning, students deepen their understanding and strengthen their math identities. In this whitepaper by Cheryl Tobey, M.Ed., you’ll explore practical strategies for planning and facilitating discourse that centers student thinking, supports language development, and encourages the construction of mathematical arguments.

These approaches align with California’s commitment to access, inclusivity, and supporting diverse learners across the state. Discover how intentional discourse can create dynamic learning environments where curiosity thrives and every student has the opportunity to engage meaningfully with mathematics.

Download the Whitepaper

 

STATE NEWS

Bonta fights for school mental health grants

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has initiated a motion to enforce a court order mandating the U.S. Department of Education to restore discontinued school mental health grants. Following a December ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Western District, the department only provided funding for six months instead of the usual full year, jeopardizing critical projects. Bonta stated: “In California and nationwide, grantees have issued layoff notices,” highlighting the uncertainty affecting planning and staffing for essential mental health programs. The department's actions have forced grant recipients to navigate unnecessary requirements, complicating their operations. The federal Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program aims to address the shortage of school-based mental health providers, with evidence showing significant reductions in suicide risk and wait times for services.

Heatwaves threaten California schools

California schools are grappling with unprecedented heatwaves, with Sacramento experiencing over 100-degree temperatures 49 times in 2024 alone. Karthik Meyyappan, a freshman at Folsom High School, highlighted the challenges faced by students, stating: "Extreme heat has meant making impossible choices about basic activities." Currently, 15%-20% of California schools lack air conditioning, and 10% of existing HVAC systems require significant repairs. Despite a 2020 initiative, the CalSHAPE program, aimed at improving school HVAC systems, $192m remains unspent due to legislative inaction. With extreme weather worsening, Meyyappan urges state leaders to prioritize funding for school upgrades to ensure a safe and comfortable learning environment.

LEGAL

Audit targets China school ties

A California audit found sufficient evidence of possible fraud, misappropriation of funds, bribery, conflicts of interest, breaches of fiduciary duty, and other illegal fiscal practices tied to Val Verde USD's relationship with Pegasus California School in Qingdao, China. Auditors said the district improperly issued diplomas to Pegasus students despite finding no evidence they had met required coursework or proficiency standards. The report also raised concerns about teacher pay and benefits, undisclosed travel to China, and the roles of former officials and consultants in establishing, promoting, and benefiting from the program. It concluded there appeared to be “a pattern of favors, official acts, promises, and payments” connected to Pegasus’ approval.

WORKFORCE

Asian teachers face hiring barriers

A February study suggests school hiring practices may be shaping the racial makeup of the U.S. teacher workforce by disadvantaging non-white candidates, especially Asian American applicants. Using data from more than 46,000 applications across districts and charter organizations between 2019 and 2024, researchers found Asian candidates were less likely to advance at every stage and ultimately received offers at about half the rate of other groups. Even after accounting for stronger credentials, including more experience and advanced degrees, disparities persisted. Dan Goldhaber, Director of the Center for Education Data & Research, said: “They look like better candidates on paper,” yet were still less likely to be hired, raising concerns about bias and structural barriers in teacher recruitment.

Twin Rivers teachers triumph after 12-day strike

Twin Rivers USD teachers returned to their classrooms on Monday, concluding their first-ever strike after 12 days. The walkout was driven by concerns over high health care costs and large class sizes. Brittoni Ward, president of Twin Rivers United Educators, announced a tentative agreement reached on Sunday, which includes a 7% raise and fully-funded health benefits. “It was incredible to cry, shout, hug — and then be able to tell our membership that they would be able to be in their classrooms today,” Ward said. Teachers will vote on the proposed two-year contract this week. The agreement also addresses class sizes, offering additional pay for larger classes and special education planning meetings. The strike highlighted broader issues in Northern California, where teachers are advocating for better wages and working conditions. “It was just a long time coming,” Ward said, emphasizing the collective struggle of educators across districts.

DISTRICTS

Race for San Mateo County Schools heats up

The race for the next San Mateo County superintendent of schools features Héctor Camacho and Chelsea Bonini, both of whom have distinct backgrounds in education. Camacho, the executive director of Equity, Social Justice and Inclusion, emphasizes collaboration between the Office of Education and the Board of Education. Bonini, a trustee on the Board of Education, aims to enhance transparency and communication.

New superintendent takes the helm at Covina-Valley

The Covina-Valley USD board of education has appointed Jonathan Blackmore as the new superintendent, succeeding Elizabeth Eminhizer, who was dismissed last July.

FINANCE

Santa Rosa Schools face budget crisis

Santa Rosa City Schools has been grappling with severe budget cuts, leading to significant layoffs and school closures. This month, the district self-certified its budget as “positive,” indicating it can meet current and future financial obligations. However, budget analysts argue that many issues could have been avoided if past warnings had been heeded. The district's spending on special education has surged, with costs reaching nearly $72m, accounting for about 30% of the overall budget. John Fischer, the district's special education chief, said: “For every special education classroom there are a bunch of necessary staff people.” The district is now working to stabilize its finances while addressing the needs of its students amid ongoing challenges.

TECHNOLOGY

Verizon deal stalls, students suffer

Salinas UHSD leaders had been negotiating with Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS) to provide tablets or Chromebooks to middle school students. However, the deal was paused by Verizon, leaving Superintendent Zandra Jo Galván disappointed, stating: “This news is deeply disappointing to a district with 85 to 90% of students in poverty.” The initiative aimed to replace over 5,000 Chromebooks, costing between $350 and $600 each, and included $696,000 in tech support at no cost to the district. Galván noted that the loss of this support creates a gap in technology access for students.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Why schools are embracing third spaces for connection

Schools can play a critical role in replacing declining “third spaces”, informal social environments like parks or malls, by intentionally designing areas such as libraries, hallways, and commons to support students’ social and mental well-being. With rising loneliness among young people, these flexible, voluntary spaces can foster connection, improve academic outcomes, and provide low-pressure environments for interaction. To achieve this, designers are encouraged to create multifunctional, accessible environments that incorporate natural elements, comfortable “resimercial” materials, and inclusive layouts, while integrating smart systems and robust technology infrastructure. The goal is to transform underused school areas into adaptable community hubs that support collaboration, relaxation, and engagement, positioning schools as central spaces for both learning and social connection.

EARLY EDUCATION

Red-shirting: A double-edged sword

Holding a child back from kindergarten, known as "red-shirting," offers limited long-term academic benefits, according to a report by the Northwest Evaluation Assn. The practice, often seen among affluent families, aims to give children more time to develop socially and emotionally. However, by third grade, the academic advantages of being older tend to diminish, with students reaching grade level with their peers. Megan Kuhfeld, director of growth modeling and data analytics at the Northwest Evaluation Assn., noted that "individual circumstances must be considered" when deciding to delay kindergarten. While some children may benefit from extra time, the decision can also lead to financial strain for families. The introduction of transitional kindergarten in California further complicates these choices, prompting parents to make earlier decisions about their child's education.

CYBERSECURITY

Tip platform breach alarms schools

A possible cyberattack on Navigate360’s P3 Global Intel platform has raised concerns that highly sensitive student data from more than 30,000 schools may have been exposed. Reuters reported the claims based on a hacker’s account, but the breach has not been independently confirmed, and Navigate360 says its investigation is ongoing. Chief Executive JP Guilbault said there is no verified evidence that sensitive information was accessed or misused. Experts warned that anonymous tip systems hold exceptionally delicate reports and urged districts to pause use, seek updates, and review data protections.

HIGHER EDUCATION

DOE portal to disclose foreign funding

The U.S. Department of Education has introduced a new online portal requiring colleges and universities to disclose foreign funding, aiming to improve transparency and enforce compliance with federal reporting laws. The initiative, tied to Executive Order 14282, comes amid concerns over foreign influence in U.S. education, with $72.1bn in funding already disclosed across 559 institutions, including $5.2bn reported in 2025 alone. The department also released data showing more than 8,300 foreign funding transactions in 2025, with Qatar the largest source at $1.1bn, followed by countries including the United Kingdom, China, Switzerland, and Japan. Officials emphasized that institutions have a legal obligation to report foreign gifts exceeding $250,000, while critics have long argued that enforcement has been insufficient.

INTERNATIONAL

Victorian teachers and support staff launch first strike in 13 years amid pay dispute

Up to 35,000 teachers and education staff staged a 24-hour strike across the Australian state of Victoria on Tuesday, rallying in Melbourne’s CBD and forcing around 500 public schools to close or significantly reduce operations in the first such action in 13 years. Organized by the Australian Education Union (AEU), the protest highlighted growing frustration over pay, workload, and staffing shortages, with some schools shut as entire teaching cohorts walked out. The strike comes amid protracted enterprise bargaining negotiations that began about eight months ago, with the union seeking a 35% pay increase over four years, smaller class sizes, and better classroom and mental health support. The Victorian government has offered an 18.5% increase, including an immediate 8% rise for teachers and 4% for support staff, followed by annual 3% increases and a 1.5% overtime allowance. It added that it had made efforts to avoid the strike and urged the union to prioritize minimizing disruption to students, noting that negotiations are ongoing.

AND FINALLY......

No “s” in sight: Homework mix-up misses the moms

A Reddit post featuring a schoolgirl's marked homework has gone viral, amassing over 20,000 upvotes in less than 24 hours. The post shows a journal entry where the word "moms" was corrected by a teacher, who struck through the "s," indicating a misunderstanding of the child's family structure. User JeweledApplePie said, “It's not a huge deal it's just, mildly infuriating." A 2024 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that 18% of LGBTQ adults, approximately 2.57m people, are parenting children under 18. The incident sparked a lively discussion, with many commenters urging understanding for the teacher's potential oversight, while others highlighted the broader implications of such mistakes on children from diverse family backgrounds.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe