Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
California
20th April 2026
Together with

THE HOT STORY

Schools face closures amid climate chaos

California schools are grappling with severe weather disruptions, with nearly 60,000 K-12 students affected this year alone. The California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) was established to upgrade aging infrastructure but has halted funding due to concerns over rising utility costs. Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris said: "Anytime that we are asking for ratepayers to fund these initiatives, we need to take a very, very close look at the cost effectiveness." Environmental advocates argue that the funds should be utilized for necessary upgrades, as JuNelle Harris, co-founder of Clean Air Allies, pointed out: "The bottom line is there is no other funding source at hand." With only a fraction of schools receiving the needed support, the situation remains critical as climate change continues to threaten educational stability.

MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS

Designated vs. Integrated ELD Instruction

Targeted ELD instruction, also referred to as dedicated or designated ELD instruction, is designed to help English learners develop critical English language skills needed for learning across content areas. This instruction should be aligned to your state’s adopted ELD standards and requires explicit development of English language knowledge, skills, and abilities. A targeted ELD program has the sole goal of English acquisition.

During a protected time in the school day, targeted ELD engages English learners in focused language acquisition and academic vocabulary building across the four domains of listening, speaking, writing, and reading. This differs from integrated ELD instruction, which provides robust support for accessing lesson-specific content and developing skills within an ELA or other content area class.

Learn more in this article

 

STATE NEWS

California schools may ban smartphones

California is considering a statewide ban on student smartphone use in schools, proposed under bipartisan bill AB 1644. This legislation mandates a "bell-to-bell" policy, prohibiting phone use from the start to the end of the school day, with exceptions for safety and educational purposes. Assemblymember Buffy Wicks said: "Smartphones are incredible devices that can be helpful in so many ways. But they are also incredibly disruptive, distracting and addictive." If passed, California would join at least 10 other states with similar bans. The bill aims to address concerns over mental health and academic performance linked to excessive smartphone use. The California Teachers Association has not yet commented on the bill, while the California School Boards Association opposes it, advocating for local decision-making. AB 1644 is set for discussion in the Assembly Education Committee on April 22.

California's education reform struggle

California's education governance has been plagued by overlapping authorities since 1920, when a report warned of the dangers of having both an elected state superintendent and a governor-appointed Board of Education. "The present California educational organization must be regarded as dangerous for the future," the report stated. Governor Gavin Newsom is now attempting to address this century-old issue by proposing a new governance structure that consolidates authority under a governor-appointed education commissioner. This plan aims to clarify leadership and accountability in the education system. However, opposition from current state superintendent Tony Thurmond and the California Teachers Association may hinder progress.

GOVERNANCE

Candidates clash over California education

During a candidate forum at San Diego City College, four contenders for California's superintendent of public instruction discussed critical education issues. Richard Barrera, president of the San Diego USD board, emphasized the need for effective curriculum and teacher support, stating: "It is all about creating an environment in our schools where we say our students can learn math." Josh Newman criticized California's educational practices, calling them "truly negligent" and urged learning from successful states. Nichelle Henderson advocated for teaching curricula rather than test preparation, while Gus Mattammal stressed accountability in teaching methods. The forum highlighted the candidates' differing views on curriculum, accountability, and the importance of community college partnerships in enhancing career pathways for students. The primary election will determine the top two candidates for the general election in the fall.

NATIONAL NEWS

Deadline looms for school accessibility

This month marks a critical deadline for schools to comply with the updated accessibility standards under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The final rule, released two years ago, mandates that institutions ensure their websites and mobile apps meet Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 by April 24. However, many schools are unprepared, with only 14% having completed the necessary updates, according to a survey by the National School Public Relations Association. Glenda Sims, chief information accessibility officer at Deque Systems, emphasized that "Title II should have been a wake-up call," yet many schools remain vulnerable to legal action. As the deadline approaches, concerns grow over the potential impact of political changes on federal support for accessibility compliance.

DISTRICTS

L.A. schools face steep enrollment drop

Los Angeles County schools experienced a significant decline in enrollment, losing 32,953 students this year, which represents a 2.6% drop and accounts for 44% of California's overall enrollment decrease. The Los Angeles USD faced an even steeper decline of 4.5%, losing 16,765 students. Elizabeth Sanders, a spokesperson for the California Department of Education, said: “Declining school enrollment in California reflects the national trend.” Factors contributing to this trend include declining birth rates, rising housing costs, and changes in migration patterns. Thomas J. Kane, director of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard, noted that “the decline itself shouldn't be surprising,” emphasizing the need for schools to adjust their plans proactively. The overall picture shows a decline across all school types, including private and charter schools, with many families opting for transitional kindergarten instead.

Sixteen students score full-ride scholarships

Sixteen students from Arvin High School in Kern County have been awarded full-ride scholarships to UC Merced, a significant achievement for many first-generation college students. The scholarships will cover tuition, housing, and meals, with the total cost of attending UC Merced estimated at $40,292 per year for in-state students, according to U.S. News & World Report. UC Merced is recognized for its commitment to social mobility, with over half of its students from households earning less than $120,000 graduating without student debt. The students are set to begin their studies in the fall semester starting August 19.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Manteca invests in school safety upgrades

The City of Manteca is reimbursing Manteca Unified $299,954 for off-campus improvements aimed at enhancing safety by relocating the school bus zone at Joshua Cowell School. The modernization project includes significant upgrades on Chardonnay Way and Micheletos Way, featuring the installation of ADA curb ramps and a new asphalt overlay. This initiative is funded through Measure Q sales tax receipts. The reimbursement payment is set to be discussed at the City Council meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m., following a May 2025 agreement with the school district.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Empowering youth with disabilities

The Fresno County Office of Education has revamped its vocational training for students with disabilities, focusing on real-world job placements rather than modified environments. Liza Stack, who oversees the Career Adventure Program, said: “Now they’re placed in community businesses where they’re employees alongside everybody else.” This shift aims to prepare students for competitive employment and change perceptions about individuals with disabilities. The program has expanded to 26 worksites, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in various roles, from stocking shelves to assisting in classrooms.

TECHNOLOGY

Teaching AI-era media literacy

Schools are reworking media literacy lessons as AI reshapes social media, search, messaging, and online content creation. Educators say students often struggle to tell AI-generated material from human-created work, especially in elementary grades, while state policy and classroom practice race to keep up. Brian Baker of Media Literacy Now said it is “difficult for the media literacy, education world to keep up” with AI development. Teachers and researchers argue students need both practical AI skills and critical habits that help them question sources, recognize manipulation, and reflect on ethics. Classroom examples in Washington and Wyoming show schools pushing students to verify information, disclose AI use, and treat AI as a tool for stronger thinking rather than simple efficiency.
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