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The Trump administration is moving to restrict access for undocumented students to federally funded early childhood, dual-enrollment, and postsecondary career and technical education programs. This initiative, led by the U.S. departments of Education and Health and Human Services, aims to classify these programs as similar to welfare, thereby excluding undocumented immigrants. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said: “The department will ensure that taxpayer funds are reserved for citizens and individuals who have entered our country through legal means.” Critics, including Julie Sugarman from the Migration Policy Institute, warn that these changes could create a chilling effect on families seeking educational opportunities. The new rules could significantly impact programs like Head Start, which has historically been open to all children meeting federal requirements. “This decision undermines the fundamental commitment that the country has made to children and disregards decades of evidence that Head Start is essential to our collective future,” commented the National Head Start Association in a Thursday statement. “Attempts to impose such a requirement threaten to create fear and confusion among all families who are focused on raising healthy children, ready to succeed in school and life.”  

 

USA Today

Education Week News

K-12 Dive

Los Angeles Times

California's AB 218 law has led to a surge in sexual abuse lawsuits against school districts, with over 1,000 claims filed since its enactment in 2020. Victims like Samantha Muñoz, who suffered abuse in the early 2000s, are now seeking justice, stating, “It’s time to speak your truth and make it OK to talk about.” The law temporarily lifted the statute of limitations, resulting in settlements ranging from $5m to $135m, pushing some districts to the brink of financial collapse. Superintendent Diana Rigby of Carpinteria USD expressed concern, calling the situation "untenable,” with the district facing multiple lawsuits. Legislative efforts are underway to amend the law, but there is little support for limiting settlements. The financial strain on schools is likened to the challenges faced during the Great Recession, with calls for better protocols to prevent future abuse.

 

Cal Matters

Clovis USD is facing a significant change in school board compensation. Currently, board members earn $9,000 annually, but Assembly Bill 1390, introduced by Assemblymember José Luis Solache, could raise the average salary to $45,000. This bill aims to address the lack of candidates in school board races, as noted by Solache: "Serving as a school board trustee is a demanding role. The levels of compensation limits have not been adjusted." In Fresno County, many races have only one candidate, highlighting a democratic deficit. The bill has garnered support, with Fresno USD Superintendent Misty Her claiming: "The current limits make board service financially inaccessible." If passed, this legislation could encourage more community members to run for school board positions, enhancing democratic participation in education governance.

 

The Fresno Bee

Glendale USD, a major employer in Glendale with over 2,500 staff members, serves more than 25,000 students across various educational institutions. Superintendent Dr. Darneika Watson announced significant management changes for the 2025-2026 school year, including the appointment of William Young as assistant superintendent of Business Services, effective July 1. Young has extensive experience in public education, having previously served as deputy superintendent in Natomas USD. Other notable promotions include Shant Der-Megerdichian to principal of Horace Mann Elementary School and Tiffany Hirdler to principal of Dunsmore Elementary School. Dr. Houri Keuroghlian and Luis Guevara also received promotions to assistant principal roles. Dr. Watson emphasized the importance of supporting a thriving workforce to enhance student learning.

 

Cresenta Valley Weekly

California Attorney General Rob Bonta visited Bell Aire Park Elementary School in Napa to observe the effects of the Trump administration's significant cuts to AmeriCorps. His office, along with 22 other states, recently achieved a court ruling that temporarily halts the impact of President Trump's executive order aimed at reducing federal workforce and functions. This order led to the closure of AmeriCorps' National Civilian Community Corps program, resulting in over 80% of its workforce being placed on administrative leave. Bonta emphasized the importance of AmeriCorps, stating, "We need to ensure that our students have the support they deserve." Rosanna Mucetti, superintendent of Napa Valley USD, was present during the discussions.

 

Napa Valley Register

Local education officials assert that President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to federal education funding will have a limited effect on California's local budgets. Dr. Michelle Savko, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services for Sierra Sands USD, stated, “Changes at the federal level will have a limited impact and will likely be something that will not provide an immediate impact on programs.” She emphasized that most district funding is derived from the California state budget, indicating that any adjustments will be addressed as they approach the 2026-27 school year and beyond.

 

The Daily Independent

In a reflective piece, Bruce Lear, a veteran educator with 38 years in public schools, discusses the challenges teachers face today compared to the past. He recalls moments of "classroom lightning," where discussions became spontaneous and engaging, but notes that such moments are increasingly rare. Lear highlights the impact of political decisions, such as the gutting of Iowa's public sector bargaining law and the regulation of classroom discussions, which have contributed to a decline in teacher morale and autonomy. He urges voters to hold politicians accountable and encourages parents to support teachers by being involved in their children's education. "If we don't, we'll have full classrooms, empty of qualified teachers," he warns, emphasizing the need for collaboration and trust in the teaching profession.

 

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

The former Oxbow School in Napa has been revitalized with a youth choir camp organized by the Napa Valley Education Foundation. On July 2, high school students from across Napa Valley gathered to enjoy the scenic campus while participating in the summer a cappella program. The event not only provided musical training but also fostered a sense of community among the participants. As noted, "A chorus of voices singing in harmony has helped launch the next chapter of Napa's former Oxbow School." This initiative breathes new life into the facility, creating a vibrant space for youth engagement and creativity.

 

Napa Valley Register

The recent tax and spending bill signed by President Donald Trump significantly reduces federal funding for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which experts warn will adversely affect schools and students. Lynn Nelson, president of the National Association of School Nurses, noted: “That's a huge funding cut for schools,” emphasizing the potential harm to children and families. The bill imposes work requirements that could lead to fewer parents qualifying for benefits, further limiting access to free school meals. As states bear more costs, they may restrict eligibility for SNAP, impacting the number of students who can receive free meals. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that federal funding for SNAP will decrease by $186 billion by 2034, which could result in fewer children receiving essential food assistance and negatively affect their educational outcomes.

 

Education Week News

The 10.1-acre property at 1680 Los Carneros Ave., previously home to Carneros Elementary and Stone Bridge School, is back on the market after plans for the Arrowhead School of Art & Craft were abandoned. The proposed academy aimed to combine art and agriculture but has now stalled, leaving the property available for sale once more.

 

Napa Valley Register

A new bill introduced in the House aims to regulate college sports by providing limited antitrust protections for the NCAA and prohibiting schools from using student fees to fund athletic programs. Co-sponsored by seven Republicans and two Democrats, the SCORE Act seeks to establish national standards for name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments, which have gained prominence following a $2.78bn lawsuit settlement. The legislation also includes provisions to protect Olympic programs and mandates that schools with high-earning coaches offer at least 16 sports programs. The bill's restrictions on student fees could significantly impact funding strategies for athletic programs, as many schools are exploring ways to cover the costs associated with athlete compensation.

 

AP News

USA Today

Cal State L.A. has announced that professors can transition their classes online due to heightened concerns among students regarding potential immigration raids. Provost Heather Lattimer noted that many students are "scared to take public transit and fearful of driving to campus," prompting the university to reiterate policies allowing for excused absences and alternative arrangements. Although no raids have occurred on the campus, which serves a significant immigrant population, the fear of federal actions has led to increased anxiety among students. Lattimer emphasized the university's commitment to supporting the safety and well-being of its community, stating, "As a campus, we need to thoughtfully navigate these concerns." The decision to offer remote options reflects previous practices during the pandemic and wildfires, but it remains uncertain how widespread these online classes will be in the upcoming fall semester.

 

Los Angeles Times

According to a study reported by Inside Higher Ed, recommendation letters for Black, Hispanic, first-generation, and other marginalized student groups are often shorter and less detailed than those for their white and Asian counterparts. The analysis of over 600,000 letters revealed that private school students received letters that were, on average, 20% longer than those for public school students. Julie J. Park, an admissions researcher at the University of Maryland, emphasized the need to consider the context of opportunity when evaluating these letters. She said: “If you are going to keep letters, you need to be reading them with the context for opportunity in mind.” The findings raise questions about the necessity of recommendation letters in the college admissions process.

 

EdSource

The federal government significantly underreported the number of international students in the U.S. last year by over 200,000, according to corrected data from the student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) released by the Department of Homeland Security. Chris Glass, a professor at Boston College, highlighted this discrepancy, commenting: “It's critical data at a moment when people are paying close attention to the number of international students in the U.S.” The revised figures show a year-over-year growth of 6.5%, aligning with data from the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education, which reported a record number of international students for the 2023-24 academic year. The situation has sparked ongoing debates regarding international student visas, particularly in light of recent legal battles involving institutions like Harvard.

 

CNBC

In a significant move towards enhancing student safety, all new Canadian school buses will be required to implement perimeter visibility systems by November 1, 2027. Gatekeeper Systems Inc. has secured contracts worth approximately C$450,000 ($328,000) to equip school buses in Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia with advanced mobile data collectors and video technology under its Platform-as-a-Service model. Doug Dyment, Gatekeeper’s president and chief executive, expressed enthusiasm about the company's growing market share, stating, “Once our PaaS platform is installed on a school bus, it becomes easy to add new safety solutions in the future.” The new regulation from Transport Canada is expected to impact over 65,000 school buses and cost an estimated C$196m between 2024 and 2036. Gatekeeper is also expanding its financial capabilities to support this initiative and other large projects.

 

School Bus Fleet

The National Association of Secondary School Principals has honored Tony Cattani and Damon Lewis as the 2025-26 National Principals of the Year. Cattani, principal of Lenape High School in New Jersey, was recognized for his innovative peer observation system that enhances teacher collaboration and professional growth. He expressed his emotional reaction to the award, stating, "It made everything worthwhile." Lewis, principal of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Connecticut, aims to improve equity in education and increase access for marginalized students. He shared his motivation for switching to education, saying, "I thought to myself: How selfish is it of me to continue this business route?" The principals were selected from a group of six finalists for their focus on improving school culture and climate, battling absenteeism, and finding effective ways to help teachers grow in their jobs.

 

Education Week News