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The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against California, challenging state policies that permit transgender students to participate in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The lawsuit claims that the state's Sex Equity in Education Act violates Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools. The lawsuit states: “Despite Title IX's equal opportunity mandate, Defendants have adopted and implemented policies that force girls to compete against boys.” This legal action is part of a broader strategy by President Donald Trump and the Justice Department to threaten federal funding for educational institutions that do not align with their policies. Bill Essayli, the US Attorney for the Central District of California, criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom for not complying with federal mandates regarding women's rights in sports.

 

CNN Edition

U.S. News

Washington Post

In response to a declining membership and an aging workforce, the National Education Association (NEA) has initiated a working group aimed at supporting early-career teachers. Em DePriest, a teacher from Kansas, emphasized the importance of this initiative, commenting: “People look at us and say, [early-career teachers] haven't been here for 25 years. They weren't a pandemic teacher. They haven't been in the fight and don't know what it's like. And sure, that might all be accurate, but we are in it now. That fight is going to continue with or without us, so we have to be able to put our fists up against it.” The group will focus on professional development tailored for teachers in their first seven years, addressing the high turnover rates among young educators. NEA spokesperson Celeste Fernandez noted that approximately 30%-35% of union members are early-career teachers. The goal is to enhance retention by providing relevant training and fostering community among new educators.

 

Education Week News

On July 8, rumors circulated on social media regarding potential ICE detentions near Dr. Oscar Loya Elementary School in Salinas, prompting a response from Alisal USD officials. Superintendent Monica Anzo stated, “If a detention took place, it did not take place on school grounds,” emphasizing that district leaders were not informed of any immigration enforcement actions. The Solidarity Network, a volunteer group monitoring immigration activities, reported receiving multiple accounts of ICE presence in the area, suggesting that at least one individual may have been detained. Anzo reassured that the district will act as a “safe haven” for students and families, stating that federal immigration officials cannot enter school properties without prior written approval and proper judicial warrants.

 

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

TTown Media

Napa Valley USD has unanimously approved a three-year budget plan aimed at maintaining and enhancing educational programs, despite potential changes in state and federal funding. Assistant Superintendent Rabinder Mangewala highlighted that economic uncertainty has led to conservative revenue estimates, indicating that "adjustments may be necessary" during the district's first interim budget review. The budget was presented to the board on June 12 and passed on June 26, reflecting the district's commitment to its educational mission amidst financial challenges.

 

Napa Valley Register

The Daily Californian

Cuauhtemoc Avila, the former superintendent of Rialto USD, has filed a lawsuit claiming he was terminated for exposing unethical and illegal actions by district officials. The lawsuit, submitted on July 3 in San Bernardino Superior Court, reflects similar allegations made in a prior legal claim where Avila described himself as a victim of the district's misconduct. He stated: "I was fired earlier this year because I resisted a school trustee's efforts to exert control over daily operations."

 

Napa Valley Register

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Nile Garden students will finally have access to refillable water bottles starting August 4, after relying on bottled water for 11 years due to contamination issues. The school's water well had repeatedly failed to meet safety standards for arsenic and 1,2,3-trichloropropane. Aaron Bowers, Director of Facilities and Operations for Manteca USD, said: "The City of Manteca did the school a solid." A $4.8m project has extended a water line from the city’s system to the campus, while a new well with an arsenic treatment system is being developed. The project is funded by a state grant and aims to ensure safe drinking water for the 1,266 students at Nile Garden. The existing well will still be used for irrigation purposes.

 

Manteca Bulletin

Eighteen California higher education institutions received the highest rating of five stars in Money's 2025 Best Colleges in America study. The evaluation assessed 732 colleges based on 25 factors, including education quality, affordability, and graduate outcomes. Notably, every California State University campus scored four stars or higher, with 15 universities ranking in the top 10% nationwide. CSU Chancellor Mildred García said: "The tremendous scale at which we are graduating and serving students across the CSU is truly impactful." With undergraduate tuition under $7,000 annually and over 80% of students receiving financial aid, many graduates leave with no student loan debt. The University of California system also had five five-star campuses, showcasing California's strong higher education landscape.

 

Ventura County Star

House Republicans are urging seven U.S. universities to sever ties with the China Scholarship Council, labeling it a "nefarious mechanism" for technology theft by the Chinese government. In letters sent to institutions like Dartmouth College and the University of Notre Dame, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party expressed concerns over the program, which sponsors Chinese graduate students in the U.S. and mandates their return to China for two years post-graduation. Rep. John Moolenaar commented: "CSC purports to be a joint scholarship program. However, in reality it is a CCP-managed technology transfer effort." The committee is reviewing the program's infiltration of U.S. universities and has requested related records from the institutions involved. Many universities are cautious about treating Chinese scholars with suspicion, despite acknowledging the need for improved research security.

 

LA Daily News

UC Berkeley is introducing "Transfer Hubs" in Blackwell Hall, Martinez Commons, and Unit 3 starting in the 2025-26 school year. These dedicated floors aim to foster "support and connection" among incoming transfer students, as noted by campus spokesperson Adam Ratliff. The initiative responds to feedback from current transfers who prefer living with peers. While housing is guaranteed for first-year and transfer students, participation in the hubs is optional. ASUC Transfer Representative Joshua De Miguel highlighted ongoing challenges, stating: "Housing disproportionately impacts transfers," and emphasized the need for clarity in housing processes. UC Berkeley is also developing two projects to add approximately 2,600 beds to address housing shortages. De Miguel remarked, "More housing needs to be built," underscoring the importance of the new hubs in supporting transfer students.

 

The Daily Californian

The Trump administration has intensified its conflict with Harvard University, announcing that the Department of Homeland Security would issue subpoenas regarding alleged misconduct by foreign students. The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services indicated that Harvard's failure to address claims of harassment against Jewish students could lead to the loss of its accreditation, which would make students ineligible for federal financial aid. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard. Now, through their refusal to cooperate, we have to do things the hard way." The administration aims to instigate change at Harvard and similar institutions, asserting they have become centers of leftist ideology and antisemitism.

 

Politico

U.S. News

Pakistan's federal government is to distribute 100,000 laptops to students across the country, as part of the Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme 2025. A high-level meeting of the scheme’s third special committee was held on Tuesday, chaired by Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui; officials reviewed the regional distribution of applications and quota allocations. He announced later that the central launch ceremony will be held on 25 July at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, adding: “Access to technology is key to Pakistan’s development."

 

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