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California teachers currently lack access to paid family leave, a gap that Los Angeles USD is aiming to address with a new resolution. Maya Suzuki Daniels, an English teacher, expressed frustration, commenting: “It seems crazy to time a reproductive choice around your work schedule.” The resolution, passed unanimously, seeks to enhance parental support and make LAUSD an “employer of choice” amid a statewide teacher shortage. It includes provisions for paid leave, lactation spaces, and childcare support. The board, comprised of five mothers, recognizes the challenges of balancing parenthood and teaching. Legislative efforts to provide paid leave have faced vetoes, but Assembly Bill 65 is currently under consideration, proposing 14 weeks of paid leave for school employees. Liz Morris from the Center for WorkLife Law emphasized the importance of paid leave for teacher retention, adding: “Failing to provide paid leave for teachers is shortsighted.”

 

Los Angeles Times

School Leadership’s Guide to Career and Technical Education

Economic impacts are changing the employment landscape. Now more than ever it's critical to prepare students for careers in current and emerging professions through Career and Technical Education (CTE). Having developed 200+ award-winning digital courses, FlexPoint knows that CTE offerings look different for every school, based on location and student population. School and district leaders can learn how to enhance their CTE programs through the free FlexPoint guide.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
• And more!

Download CTE Guide

 

On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments regarding President Donald Trump's executive order that could revoke birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. The case, Trump v. CASA, raises significant legal questions about whether federal judges can issue nationwide injunctions against federal policies. The implications for education funding have raised concerns, with local governments warning that the order could lead to loss of federal aid for schools serving undocumented children. Many legal experts say that the Supreme Court's 1982 decision in Plyler v. Doe, which held that a state could not withhold funding from school districts that enrolled undocumented immigrant children, guarantees those children the right to attend public schools regardless of their own citizenship status or their parents' immigration status. However, a friend-of-the-court brief filed by local governments and officials from at least 20 states said there would be several direct harms to states and school districts, impacting attendance-based funding and IDEA-financed education aid. A decision from the court is expected by late June or early July.

 

CNN

Education Week News

NPR/National Public Radio

Washington Post

El Capitan High senior Carlos Vega initially did not envision attending college, opting instead for military service, specifically the Army. “College to me wasn't always calling my name,” he stated, expressing a desire to travel and experience life. Vega was among 59 seniors honored at the Merced Union High School District's second Salute to Service Luncheon. As of early 2024, over 2m Americans serve in the Armed Forces, with around 70,000 enlisting annually, half of whom are recent high school graduates. Merced High School counselor Regina Cherf noted that many students join the military to learn skills for future careers or to fulfill a sense of duty. MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson emphasized the importance of providing diverse pathways for students, including military service. Vega, who maintains a 3.2 GPA, aims to leverage his military experience for a future in law enforcement. Similarly, Atwater High senior Gabriel Cisneros is eager to serve, inspired by family members in the military. “I want to push myself,” he said.

 

Merced Sun Star

In the aftermath of the Eaton fire, which displaced around 10,000 students in Pasadena USD, mental health support has become crucial. Tanya Ward, a project director at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, helped a distressed student cope with his feelings about a stuffed rabbit. This support has been echoed by Julianne Reynoso, the district's assistant superintendent, who expressed gratitude for the overwhelming assistance received. John Lynch, a community schools initiative coordinator, reached out to families to assess their needs, emphasizing the importance of community connection during such crises. As students returned to school, many faced emotional challenges, with some experiencing grief and survivor's guilt. Kim Griffin Esperon, a project director, noted: “This is going to take a long time for some of these kids to work their way through.” The district is now focusing on long-term care and support for students as they navigate their recovery.

 

EdSource

The Palo Alto USD school board has introduced a draft for its 2025-2026 mission statement, emphasizing "academic access and excellence." This change comes amid ongoing discussions about access to advanced courses at Palo Alto and Gunn High School, which frequently send graduates to Stanford. The draft proposes replacing "Early Literacy" with "Academic Access and Excellence," revising "Equity and Excellence" to "Social Responsibility and Equity," and changing "Mental Health and Wellness" to "Mental Health, Belonging and Wellness." The draft follows a survey of 537 respondents, where 73% were parents, highlighting a significant concern regarding the balance between equity and excellence. The board noted that "a major theme was the perceived tension between equity and excellence."

 

Stanford Daily

California's AB 1468, aimed at establishing content standards for mandatory high school ethnic studies courses and combating antisemitism, has been withdrawn by its authors, Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur and Dawn Addis. This marks the second failed attempt to regulate ethnic studies amid rising tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The new bill, AB 715, seeks to enhance anti-discrimination protections, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, and establish a state antisemitism coordinator. However, critics argue that it threatens academic freedom and silences Palestinian narratives. The bill comes amid a reported 24.3% increase in anti-Jewish bias incidents in California schools from 2021 to 2022, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

 

Mercury News

Fresno USD plans to implement $49m in budget cuts for the 2025-26 school year, affecting 59 full-time positions due to declining enrollment and attendance. After $26m in cuts last year, the district's budget, which peaked at $2.3bn during the pandemic, is now facing further reductions of $48.9m, $22.4m, and $23.5m over the next three years. The central office will bear the brunt of these cuts, losing 34.3 full-time equivalent positions. Patrick Jensen, the district's chief financial officer, said: “You're seeing a huge investment that the board has made in resources at the site level.” Despite the cuts, there will be no layoffs, as most reductions come from vacant positions. The district aims to align future budgets with its long-term goals, including early literacy and college readiness. The governing board will finalize the budget in June.

 

The Fresno Bee

Petaluma City Schools is investigating a troubling trend among students linked to the “Chromebook Challenge,” which has resulted in significant laptop damage and safety concerns. Esmeralda Sanchez Moseley, assistant superintendent of student services, urged families to “stop immediately” as the challenge poses risks to both devices and student safety. The district reported that the damage could cost up to $350 per device, with potential long-term consequences for students involved.

 

Press Democrat

Families with children attending a Newman Crows Landing USD school can benefit from SUN Bucks, a California initiative providing up to $120 per child to cover grocery costs during summer. This program, modeled after the Summer EBT program, aims to combat food insecurity when schools are closed. Eligible children aged 6 to 18, including those receiving free or reduced-price meals, will automatically receive funds through S-EBT cards. Families must apply using the Universal Benefits Application by May 30, 2025, to ensure timely benefits. SUN Bucks not only supports families but also benefits local grocery stores.

 

Westsideconnect.com

The debate over transgender athletes' participation in school sports intensified at a recent Paso Robles school board meeting, where a divided crowd expressed strong opinions. While no agenda item addressed the issue, public comments revealed a stark contrast: eight individuals opposed policies allowing transgender girls to compete on girls' teams, while only two supported trans youth.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Chávez/Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy in Pueblo will close after the State Board of Education rejected its appeal against the Pueblo 60 district's decision to terminate its charter due to ongoing fiscal mismanagement. The board voted 7-1, expressing skepticism about the school's ability to reverse declining enrollment and manage its debt. Richard Orona, the school's lawyer, acknowledged past issues but claimed the school was on the right track, commenting: “We looked within ourselves for the answer, and we found it.” However, board members were concerned about the potential for sudden closure mid-year. The school, which opened in 2001, has faced numerous challenges, including a significant drop in enrollment and financial instability, leading to its impending closure.

 

Chalkbeat

Children in many of the world’s wealthiest countries saw marked declines in their academic performance, mental wellbeing, and physical health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a UNICEF report. Across 43 countries, an estimated 8m 15-year-olds were assessed as not functionally literate and numerate. That means around half of the age group surveyed could not understand a basic text, raising the alarm over long term development. Raising concerns around mental health, UNICEF pointed out that in 14 of 32 countries with available data, children’s life satisfaction deteriorated during the COVID pandemic, while adolescent suicide rates plateaued, reversing a previous downward trend. UNICEF recommends countries include children in decision-making, promoting youth voices and agency across the board. The agency warns that hard-won gains in child well-being across wealthy countries are becoming “increasingly vulnerable” and urges governments to focus interventions on disadvantaged groups to ensure more equitable educational outcomes.

 

UN News