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

THE HOT STORY

Court blocks California's trans student law

California's Assembly Bill 1955, aimed at protecting transgender students' privacy in schools, remains on hold after the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals deemed it likely unconstitutional. The law, passed in 2024, prevents school staff from informing parents about a student's gender expression without consent. Advocates argue it safeguards vulnerable students from "forced outing," while opponents claim it misleads parents. Mary Ziegler, a professor at UC Davis School of Law, noted that the ruling could significantly impact parental rights across the U.S., stating: "There's an ambition to transform parental rights period." The court's decision reflects ongoing tensions between parental rights and student privacy, with potential implications for various legal issues. Separately, Two Christian parents, Justin and Rose Taylor, sued Sunnyvale School District, alleging it did not let them opt their elementary-age children out of LGBTQ+ instruction they say conflicts with their faith. The lawsuit, filed by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, challenges materials used at Cumberland Elementary School, including picture books featuring Pride imagery, drag queens, same-sex marriage and gender transition.

BOOST ENROLLMENT

How to Attract Families to Your School & Increase Enrollment  

Schools and districts must adapt to be a top-of-mind choice in an era where parents wield greater influence over their children’s academic journeys. As you seek to attract and retain students, this award-winning guide will support you.  

Free Marketing Guide

 

STATE NEWS

California students break financial aid record

Graduating high school students in California have achieved a historic milestone by surpassing a 70% completion rate for financial aid applications, a significant increase from 53% in the previous academic year. The achievement follows a policy requiring seniors to complete a financial aid application to graduate, unless they opt out. The California Student Aid Commission aims for 80% completion by 2030, and the recent data shows promising results, with an additional 1,500 students enrolling in college due to the policy.

FINANCE

Los Angeles USD board approves $20.6bn budget

The Los Angeles USD School Board has approved a $20.6bn budget that will lead to over 1,000 layoffs and significant cuts in the future. The decision comes shortly after the resignation of Superintenden. Alberto Carvalho. Acting Superintendent Andres Chait is expected to continue leading the district, with indications that he may be offered the permanent superintendent position. The budget relies on spending down reserves, with a projected deficit due to rising costs and declining enrollment. The new four-year strategic plan aims to improve academic performance, with goals set for college and career readiness, as well as social-emotional development.

Sacramento schools face budget crisis

Sacramento City USD is considering a parcel tax for the November ballot to address a severe budget crisis, with a deficit of $170.5m as of May 21. The school board has directed staff to explore this option, and a survey of voters will take place from June 25 to July 12, along with public hearings before finalizing the measure. S&P Global Ratings recently downgraded the district's bond rating, citing "the rapid deterioration in the district’s general fund performance and available reserves" due to the board's failure to make timely budget adjustments. The district previously issued preliminary pink slips to 800 employees to help mitigate the deficit.

POLICY

Los Angeles USD caps screen time for students

Los Angeles USD has approved a revised policy to limit screen time for students, aiming for a healthier balance in technology use. The new guidelines, which will be implemented in phases starting July 2023, set specific caps based on grade levels. For instance, early education and first graders will have no screen time, while second and third graders are limited to 20 minutes daily. “It’s about balance,” said Acting Superintendent Andrés Chait, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful technology use to enhance critical thinking skills. The policy also restricts access to streaming and gaming platforms and will be updated annually. Lila Byock, founder of Schools Beyond Screens, expressed her support, stating, “We’re setting a new standard for the rest of the country.”

Unlocking the debate on phone pouches

The use of Yondr phone pouches in schools has sparked a divided response among students and teachers. While many students oppose the ban on phone usage during school hours, a survey from the Pew Research Center revealed that 93% of adults support such restrictions. The pouches aim to minimize distractions, as a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that U.S. teenagers spend about 70 minutes on their phones during school. However, the implementation of these pouches has led to significant time loss for teachers. A recent paper, "The Effects of School Phone Bans: National Evidence from Lockable Pouches," found no significant impact on standardized test scores, suggesting that addressing the root causes of phone distractions may be more effective than enforcing bans.

DISTRICTS

Modesto trustees approve pay hike

The Modesto City Schools Board of Education has approved a 292% increase in trustees' monthly stipend, raising it from $765 to $3,000. The decision, which passed 6-1 with Trustee Cindy Marks dissenting, allows for a gradual increase over two years, starting July 1. The raise follows state legislation permitting such increases for the first time in 40 years, but it has sparked controversy amid ongoing negotiations with the Modesto Teachers Association. Armando Arviso, a parent and MCS employee, expressed concerns, stating: “I would ask the board to consider what message this proposal sends to its employees who are negotiating wages.” MTA President Jennifer McGrath criticized the decision, arguing that just because the trustees can raise their pay to the maximum allowed does not mean they should. The board ultimately decided against retroactive pay after community backlash.

Ripon USD enrollment set to soar

Ripon USD is projected to experience a significant enrollment increase of nearly 25% by the 2030-2031 school year, potentially adding 837 students to its current count of 3,277. This growth is primarily attributed to new home construction in southeast Manteca. The updated facilities master plan, presented to the district board, indicates that while the district has adequate capacity to accommodate this growth, it may exceed state loading standards, which currently estimate a capacity of 3,672 students. "Ripon High is currently 192 students over capacity," highlighting the need for improvements and new construction to support educational programs.

Historic raise for Goleta employees

Goleta USD has approved a significant pay increase for its classified employees, who include teaching aides and janitors. Classified workers will receive a 3% salary raise along with an additional 0.5% increase in employer contributions toward health insurance, totaling about $860.

Ceres USD renames junior high

Ceres USD has officially renamed Cesar Chavez Junior High to Louie Arrollo Junior High after gathering public input. Louie Arrollo, the first Hispanic police officer in Ceres, has a rich history in the community, having served as a high school administrator and two-time mayor. This decision aligns with a broader trend in California, where institutions named after Chavez are being reconsidered due to recent allegations against him.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Empowering students for workforce success

Fullerton Joint UHSD is addressing workforce shortages by enhancing career technical education (CTE) and dual enrollment opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that nearly 60% of new jobs created between 2020 and 2030 will not require a degree, highlighting the need for diverse educational pathways. The district offers over 40 career-focused pathways, including public safety and healthcare, preparing students for high-wage careers with less student debt. Partnerships with local colleges and the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program ensure that educational offerings align with industry needs, providing students with practical skills and certifications. As baby boomers retire, the urgency for skilled workers in various sectors increases, making these educational initiatives crucial for future workforce readiness.

INFRASTRUCTURE

SMMUSD greenlights natural grass pilot

Santa Monica-Malibu USD is advancing a natural grass field pilot at Franklin Elementary School while supporting a moratorium on new synthetic turf fields at elementary campuses. The pilot will cost approximately $500,000, primarily for soil removal and drainage system installation. Chief operations officer Carey Upton noted that ongoing maintenance for the grass field is estimated at $6,000 to $13,000 annually. Superintendent Antonio Shelton emphasized that no formal vote was taken, but the board is seeking direction to proceed. Turfgrass specialist James H. Baird advised on critical elements for the project, stating: "Lack of proper rootzone mix is probably the number 1 reason why intended fields like this fail." The district plans to study the performance of various field surfaces over time, with a report expected in 2026-27.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario unveils new grading rules

Ontario will introduce mandatory grading standards and a new province-wide digital learning platform this fall, as the government seeks to increase consistency across schools and give teachers greater control over classroom assessment. Secondary school students will see attendance, participation, and final evaluations formally incorporated into their final grades, while written exams will become mandatory in subjects including English, math, and science. Students in Grades 9 and 10 will receive 15% of their final mark from attendance and participation, compared with 10% for Grades 11 and 12. The province is also investing C$60m ($42.3m) in Edwin, a digital learning platform developed by Nelson Education, which will be made available to all school boards beginning in September.
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