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California is restructuring its preschool funding by integrating the California State Preschool Program into the Prop. 98 funding guarantee, which supports education from transitional kindergarten to community college. This shift aims to provide financial stability for nonprofits and community colleges offering free preschool to eligible children. However, critics, including Troy Flint from the California School Boards Association, warn that this could reduce funding for K-12 schools and community colleges. The debate reflects historical tensions surrounding Prop. 98, which was established in 1988 to ensure minimum funding for education.

 

EdSource

In Quincy, California, the implementation of Gov. Gavin Newsom's ambitious mental health initiative for schools has faced significant challenges. Despite the program's promise of $500m annually for school-based mental health services, many schools struggle with inadequate guidance, complex billing processes, and delays in reimbursements. As of June 1, fewer than one-fifth of participating schools had filed claims. The initiative aims to address a youth mental health crisis, yet many students still face barriers to accessing care, with nearly 14% of youths aged 12-17 reporting delays in mental healthcare.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Public school districts are nearing a tipping point due to escalating healthcare costs, which are jeopardizing their ability to provide essential educational services. A study by The School Superintendents Association and the Association of School Business Officials International, titled “Rising Premiums, Falling Opportunities: The Budgetary Impact of Healthcare Costs on School Districts,” found that 98% of district leaders reported significant budget impacts from rising healthcare expenses. Sasha Pudelski, director of advocacy at AASA, and Elleko Yost, director of advocacy and research at ASBO International, warned that if the situation remains unresolved, it could escalate into a crisis. The study highlights that 92% of districts spent up to 30% of their budgets on employee insurance benefits, with rising prescription drug costs and increased claims being major contributors. “We are at the tipping point of a cost trend that has been occurring for decades,” said Lisa Marceau, founder of Alpha Millennial Health. The findings underscore the urgent need for systemic changes to address these financial pressures on education.

 

EdSurge

A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 50% of Americans support displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, with 48% opposing the practice. "It's so striking that there's a 50-50 split," said Chip Rotolo, the survey's lead author. Support is notably higher in the southern U.S., where 57% favor the display. In Texas, Senate Bill 10 mandates that public schools display the Ten Commandments, a law recently upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Proponents argue it reflects America's heritage, while opponents claim it violates the First Amendment. Support is strongest among white evangelical Protestants at 83%, while nearly 70% of Democrats oppose the measure. The survey also explored views on prayer in schools, revealing that while many support voluntary student-led prayer, few believe it should be mandatory.

 

The Fresno Bee

Reading for pleasure during childhood is a crucial predictor of future success, surpassing factors like family wealth and education. However, a study by the National Endowment for the Arts reveals a significant decline in children reading for enjoyment, dropping from 53% in 2012 to 39% in 2022. This decline coincides with the rise of smartphone usage, which now averages nearly 5 hours daily for Americans. The LA Times highlights that the decrease is most pronounced among Black Americans, lower-income groups, and boys. Additionally, book bans in schools disproportionately affect stories by authors of color and LGBTQ+ authors, limiting children's access to relatable narratives. David Shelley, chief executive of Hachette Book Group, emphasizes that even 10 minutes of daily reading can enhance mental well-being and academic performance. The Raising Readers campaign aims to promote reading as a vital activity for children, akin to healthy eating and exercise.

 

Los Angeles Times

Aspire Golden State College Preparatory Academy, a charter school in Oakland, is appealing the nonrenewal of its charter after being shut down last fall. The school, which serves 400 students, is asking the State Board of Education to reconsider the criteria for renewing charters with mixed performance records. Daniel Soleimani, general counsel for Aspire Public Schools, said: “In a scenario where a district wants to close charter schools because it’s worried about its own finances, the statute gives that district a lot of leeway to do so with impunity.” The school has faced declining enrollment and academic challenges, particularly in math, where it has received low ratings. Despite these issues, Aspire Golden State Prep has achieved a 100% high school graduation rate and aims to reopen after a year. The outcome of this appeal could set a precedent for other charter schools facing similar challenges.

 

EdSource

Bobbie Simpson, California’s first openly transgender elected school board member, has become a steadying presence on Gateway USD’s board in conservative Shasta County. After years of leadership turmoil and public debates over LGBTQ+ student policies, Simpson won her 2024 race with 57% of the vote by emphasizing student needs, safety and support programs. Superintendent Kyle Turner said Simpson “has really kept students in the forefront,” while Republican school board member Bruce Ross described her as prepared, collaborative and focused on children. Simpson, who came out fully in 2023, says her success comes from not making the role about her identity, while still showing others they do not have to hide who they are.

 

EdSource

American families are starting their back-to-school shopping earlier than ever, driven by rising food and gas prices. Retail giants like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy have launched promotions ahead of schedule, transforming the late-summer shopping period into a summer sales season. "With the kind of higher gas prices and higher food prices, I am definitely more aware of how I am going to spend my money," said Julie Kelley, a media consultant. Families are expected to spend an average of $922 on back-to-school items this year, a 47% increase from 2025, influenced by higher prices due to the Iran war. Children's preferences are increasingly shaping purchases, with 61% of households allowing kids to add items to online carts after seeing them on social media, according to Kelly Pedersen, PwC's global retail leader.

 

The Sacramento Bee

In a surprising trend, teenagers are turning away from smartphone photography in favor of digital cameras, seeking a more genuine feel in their images. Isha Goel, 15, stated, “It allows for a more timeless piece of memory that you have in your collection.” The Camera & Imaging Products Association reported a nearly 30% increase in shipments of cameras with built-in lenses from 2024 to 2025. Many teens appreciate the unique quality of digicam photos, which they find more engaging than high-resolution smartphone images. Joseph Manjaly, 14, noted that digicam pictures “just catch their attention, because it's a different quality.” Despite the inconvenience of manually uploading photos, some teens believe the wait enhances the value of their memories.

 

East Bay

Ryan Carroll and Chris Collins, social studies teachers at Crocker Middle School, became the 70 millionth riders of the Giant Dipper roller coaster at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. With a combined 50 years of teaching experience, they lead a summer camp called Bouncin' ‘Round the Bay, aimed at providing fun experiences for middle schoolers. “We created this camp with fun being the underlying objective for the kids,” Collins said. The duo was recognized as milestone riders while enjoying a day at the Boardwalk, where they received cheers and gift bags. 

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

As Australia's growing cities make large school campuses increasingly difficult to build, educators are embracing multi-story "vertical schools" that prioritize flexible learning spaces, stronger community connections, and innovative teaching methods. A decade after opening Melbourne's first vertical school, Haileybury City says its design has encouraged greater interaction between students of different ages, while replacing traditional features such as school bells with practices intended to prepare students for university and the workplace. Education leaders argue that the success of vertical schools depends less on architecture than on creating a strong culture of belonging. Purpose-built smaller communities, adaptable learning environments, natural light, and intentional relationship-building are seen as essential to ensuring students feel connected within multi-level campuses.  

 

The Educator Online