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Recent national data reveal that K-12 teachers generally support teaching patriotic concepts more than parents or the public. The analysis, published in Education Next, surveyed over 1,000 teachers, 1,200 parents, and 1,200 adults in spring 2025. Findings indicate that over 80% of teachers believe it is crucial to teach students about the Constitution's core values, with 62% asserting that America should be portrayed positively. Brian Kisida, an associate professor at the University of Missouri, said: "The myth of the far-left indoctrinating teachers is just that: It's a myth." Despite political affiliations, teachers are more inclined than the general public to present the U.S. as "fundamentally good." However, formal civics education remains limited, with only four states requiring a full-year civics class for graduation. Kisida emphasized the need for a deeper exploration of citizenship in education.

 

Education Week News

Lessons That Drive Active Learning

Active learning is essential in mathematics, moving students beyond passive reception to actively build knowledge—a practice proven to improve understanding not only of math but across all areas of STEM.

The enVision+ California Mathematics lesson design ensures this engagement through three strategic lesson types:

Let's Investigate lessons drive student-led, open-ended exploration of real-world problems, fostering deep conceptual understanding and curiosity. These lessons are supported by the 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Discussions.

Let's Build lessons facilitate knowledge construction by having students solve a problem first, then immediately formalize that understanding through Visual Learning, using digital tools like virtual manipulatives.

Let's Model in 3 Acts lessons challenge students to apply their learning through an engaging, three-part mathematical modeling process in real-life contexts.

This intentional structure places students at the heart of learning, leading to better long-term retention, greater confidence, and stronger critical thinking skills.  

Download Resources to Try Now!

 

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully fund food-assistance benefits for November, criticizing the government’s efforts so far to make payments during the government shutdown. Judge John McConnell said the administration violated the order he issued last week that required the government to tap emergency funds and “expeditiously” pay benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “Last weekend, SNAP benefits lapsed for the first time in our nation’s history. This is a problem that could have and should have been avoided,” he said, adding that the government “knew there would be a long delay in paying [partial] SNAP benefits and failed to consider the harms individuals who rely on those benefits would suffer.” The Justice Department is appealing the decision to the court of appeals, according to court filings.

 

ABC News

Politico

Washington Post

Wall Street Journal

A Virginia jury awarded $10m to Abby Zwerner, a former teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Zwerner accused Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal, of neglecting warnings about the child's possession of a gun. Zwerner's attorney, Diane Toscano, emphasized the responsibility of school officials: "It's Dr. Parker's job to believe that that is possible. It's her job to investigate it and get to the very bottom of it." Zwerner sustained severe injuries, requiring multiple surgeries, and has since left the teaching profession. Parker faces a separate criminal trial for felony child neglect, while the student's mother was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for related charges.

 

USA Today

NPR / National Public Radio

New York Times

U.S. News

Chamlian Armenian School has been honored as a 2025 California Blue Ribbon School, a distinction awarded to only 31 schools statewide and just three private institutions. This recognition, announced by the California Department of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, follows Chamlian's earlier designation as a National Blue Ribbon School by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). “I am proud to recognize Chamlian Armenian School as a 2025 California Blue Ribbon School for its outstanding academic achievements,” said Thurmond. Dr. Talin P. Kargodorian, head of the school, expressed gratitude for the honor, highlighting the collective effort of faculty, students, and parents. Glendale City Councilmember Elen Asatryan also praised the school's commitment to education and culture. The California Blue Ribbon Schools program celebrates exceptional academic performance and aims to inspire excellence across the state.

 

Cresenta Valley Weekly

Newport-Mesa USD educators are protesting proposed pay increases, claiming they do not match inflation rates. Hundreds of members of the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers (NMFT) rallied outside district headquarters, expressing dissatisfaction with a 2% raise offered during contract negotiations that began in June. NMFT President Rhonda Reid said: "We just felt that was not something we could agree to," emphasizing the need for salaries that reflect the cost of living. The district's initial offer was 0.97%, later raised to 2%, which Reid noted falls short of the state's 2.3% cost of living adjustment. Despite the district's claims of investing in education, Reid highlighted that many teachers struggle with student loans and housing costs. The negotiations have reached an impasse, and Reid remains hopeful for a resolution that values educators' contributions. “It is our educators who make Newport-Mesa great,” she said.

 

Los Angeles Times

The California Department of Education (CDE) has issued three rulings against Oakland USD, determining that it created a “discriminatory environment” for Jewish students and staff. The CDE criticized the district for its delayed response to complaints of antisemitism and for failing to provide investigation reports. Marleen Sacks, an attorney representing Jewish families, highlighted the prevalence of pro-Palestinian materials in schools, adding: “The district is a hostile environment for Jews and Israelis.” The CDE's findings also addressed the flying of the Palestinian flag at Fremont High School, which was deemed to favor one perspective during a sensitive time. The district has committed to additional training on antisemitism and bias. The CDE's rulings come amid ongoing complaints and a broader discussion about the balance between free expression and discrimination in educational settings.

 

EdSource

Earlier this year a packed auditorium in Santa Rosa witnessed concerned parents, students, and faculty gathering to discuss the potential closure of certain schools in the district. The meeting highlighted the community's anxiety over the future of education in Santa Rosa. "We need to come together to protect our schools," said a parent representative, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the decision-making process. Santa Rosa City Schools is currently evaluating the situation, and the outcome remains uncertain as discussions continue.

 

Press Democrat

C.L. Smith Elementary School has been recognized as a lighthouse school, the only one in San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara counties, due to its implementation of the "Leader in Me" education model. The initiative, inspired by Dr. Steven Covey's book, 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,' aims to foster leadership skills among students. Stacy Sancho, a student success specialist, noted: "The kids are extremely bought into their growth, in academics especially." Since the program's full implementation in 2022, C.L. Smith has seen improved attendance and reduced behavioral issues.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

In Fresno County, 16 out of 31 school districts are applying for a waiver to avoid allocating at least 55% of their budgets to teachers' salaries, as mandated by a state law from the 1970s, according to GV Wire. Sanger USD has sought the waiver for two years, claiming it has led to underpaid teachers. District leaders argue that the law is outdated and does not reflect the evolving needs of education, which now includes various non-teaching support services. Deputy Superintendent Eduardo Martinez remarked: "If the salaries of school psychologists, speech pathologists, counselors, nurses, and other employees were counted with teacher pay for the law, Sanger USD would be providing 60% of its budget to the salaries of those key to educating students." Approximately 45% of California's 900 school districts applied for this waiver in the 2023-24 school year.

 

EdSource

A recent report from the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team points out that there is a need for increased recovery funding for schools affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires. The report recommends a one-time payment of $4m to Pasadena USD and suggests a temporary adjustment to the funding formula for charter schools to enhance their annual funding. The January fires impacted eight public schools in Pasadena, Altadena, and the Palisades, with many others closed for repairs. The report also advocates for streamlining processes to expedite school reopenings and cleanup of hazardous materials. It highlights that schools in the affected areas were already facing declining enrollment, which poses a financial challenge as state funding is linked to student numbers. "Schools in the fire area had declining enrollment before the disaster," the report noted.

 

EdSource

Mission Telecom, a nonprofit telecommunications provider, is addressing a federal funding gap for schools and libraries following the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to remove school bus Wi-Fi and internet hotspots from the E-rate program. Announced on October 14, Mission Telecom's initiative guarantees broadband funding for fiscal year 2025 at the same rates schools would have received under the E-rate program. Mark Colwell, Mission's director of broadband operations, said: "We looked internally and said, ‘What can we do to help?'" The FCC's recent vote has left many districts seeking $42.6m for hotspots and $15.1m for school bus Wi-Fi without support. Education advocates, including Keith Krueger, chief executive of the Consortium for School Networking, emphasized the importance of maintaining connectivity for all students, particularly in underserved communities.

 

Education Week News

Concerns about curriculum access at Golden Charter Academy have led to allegations of intimidation against parent Matthew Gillian by Fresno USD board member Keshia Thomas. Gillian reported that he was pressured to sign a nondisclosure agreement to view the curriculum. He described the meetings with Thomas and other school officials as “designed to overwhelm.” Following his complaints, Thomas allegedly initiated a “smear campaign” to silence him. “A parent asks about curriculum and a school board trustee responds by using the full weight of their office,” Gillian stated. Despite the initial resistance, Golden Charter later provided Gillian with the curriculum without requiring an NDA. The school, which emphasizes nature-based learning, has faced criticism for low academic performance, with less than 20% of students meeting state standards in English and less than 10% in math for the 2024-25 school year. Sade Williams, Director of Go Public Schools South Valley, emphasized that “parents have a fundamental right to know what their children are being taught.”

 

EdSource

UNESCO's Ghana representative Edmond Mukaila has urged African nations to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to improve education, highlighting its potential for personalized learning, teacher support, and overcoming geographical barriers. Speaking at the 2025 Africa Education Trust Fund AI Conference in Accra, he also noted AI’s role in future skills development and curriculum design. “From smart agriculture solutions that optimize crop yields and water usage to AI-driven health care diagnostics that improve access to medical care, their applications are limitless,” he added.

 

News Ghana

Local high school and middle school students can now earn college credit and even complete an associate degree through a renewed partnership between the Monterey Peninsula USD and Monterey Peninsula College (MPC). This collaboration enhances dual enrollment opportunities, allowing students to access high-quality college courses early. "This partnership ensures our students have direct access to high-quality college courses and career pathways as early as middle school," said Cresta McIntosh, the associate superintendent of educational services at MPUSD. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Los Arboles Middle School will pilot a course for middle school students, while Central Coast High School will introduce its first dual enrollment course. The initiative aims to prepare students for future success, with over 1,000 expected enrollments across the district.

 

Monterey Herald