Become more informed in minutes....

California schools have shown incremental improvements in graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, and college readiness, according to the California School Dashboard released by the California Department of Education (CDE). State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said: "Seeing modest improvement on every Dashboard indicator should encourage us to deepen our investments in every child’s progress." However, challenges persist, particularly with chronic absenteeism, which remains high among certain student groups, including foster and homeless students. The dashboard indicates that 418 school districts are eligible for support, a decrease from 436 the previous year. Despite the overall positive trends, California School Boards Association chief executive Vernon M. Billy emphasized the need for a statewide plan to address persistent achievement gaps, commenting: "While incremental gains are welcome, they cannot obscure the basic facts, that our academic performance is not improving fast enough to meet the needs of California or those of its 5.8 million students."

 

EdSource

Los Angeles Times

U.S. News

Approved. Aligned. Ready

California Reveal Math by McGraw Hill, approved by the California Department of Education, offers a TK–12 curriculum built to deliver measurable results. Grounded in the California Mathematics Framework, it helps educators teach through the Big Ideas of math with clarity and coherence.

Comprehensive digital tools, assessment options, and professional learning resources ensure smooth implementation and lasting success. Flexible lesson design and bilingual materials support equitable learning in every district. With California Reveal Math, you can give teachers confidence, students opportunity, and your district a curriculum that’s built for long-term impact.

Explore California Reveal Math

 

California's high school graduation rates are steadily improving, with 87.5% of seniors graduating in the 2024-25 school year, a 1% increase from the previous year. Notable progress is seen among Pacific Islander students, whose graduation rates rose by 4%, and African American students, who saw a 3.5% increase. Chronic absenteeism has also decreased, with 17% of students classified as chronically absent, down from 30% in 2022. More than half of students are now deemed ready for postsecondary success, marking a 3% improvement. Gov. Gavin Newsom attributes these advancements to increased funding for K-12 education, emphasizing the importance of investing in students' futures. Despite these gains, academic performance in English and math still lags behind pre-pandemic levels, with only 48% and 37% of students meeting state standards, respectively.

 

The Fresno Bee

Los Angeles Times

The Sacramento Bee

A federal judge in Boston has ruled that a coalition of eight states, including New York, California, and Massachusetts, can continue their lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to cut $600m in federal grants intended for recruiting and training teachers. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley found that the states may pursue claims that the funding cuts were unconstitutional and violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), though she dismissed their attempt to reclaim the funds in her court, stating that monetary remedies must be sought in the Court of Federal Claims. The lawsuit, filed in March, argues that the Department of Education unlawfully terminated the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development grants, which support educator training in high-need districts. The Trump administration claimed the grants funded training in “divisive ideologies” like antiracism, part of a wider effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes.

 

Bloomberg Law

Courthouse News Service

Reuters

First Lady Melania Trump is leading a new initiative to enhance career and education opportunities for children in foster care. On November 13, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the “Fostering the Future” program, which collaborates with federal agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and the private sector. The initiative aims to create an online hub for foster youth to access essential resources, including vouchers and grants. Melania Trump expressed her pride in the initiative, describing it as “both empathetic and strategic.” She urged leaders from various sectors to join her cause, emphasizing the need to “rise above the ease of inaction.” The program is an extension of her “Be Best” campaign, which began in 2021 and provides scholarships to foster youth, with participating schools including Vanderbilt University and the University of Miami. The initiative involves several federal agencies, including the Departments of Health and Human Services and Treasury.

 

Bloomberg

U.S. News

Berkeley USD has reported that its students exceeded state standards in both math and English Language Arts (ELA) during the 2024-2025 school year. According to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), BUSD students outperformed their peers in Alameda County and across California, scoring 23% higher in ELA and 29% higher in math. While 66% of BUSD students met or exceeded math standards, there were declines in proficiency among Black students and Latino English language learners. Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel said: “The headline continues to be that our students are (showing) steady growth and progress across the tested areas.” 

 

The Daily Californian

The Special Education Research Collaborative (SPARC) has released a comprehensive study revealing that many teachers certified in special education do not remain in the field. The study highlights that over 15% of special education teachers leave their positions annually, often transitioning to general education roles. Allison Gilmour, the lead author and a principal researcher at the American Institutes of Research (AIR), said: "Our shortages aren't really from not having enough people; it's having people teaching the wrong thing." The research indicates that inadequate professional development and support contribute to high turnover rates. In Texas, for instance, nearly 36% of special education teachers left their positions each year during the study period. The findings suggest that states must enhance mentoring and professional development tailored to the unique challenges of special education to retain qualified educators.

 

Education Week News

Pajaro Valley USD is facing a proposal to cut between 160 and 170 staff positions, which will be voted on at the board's December 11 meeting. Superintendent Heather Contreras said: “These reductions have been forthcoming for several years,” emphasizing the need for fiscal stability amid declining enrollment and the end of one-time COVID funding. The proposed cuts include various positions such as counselors, mental health clinicians, and special education staff, which were initially funded during the pandemic. Community members expressed concerns, with many advocating for administrative cuts instead. The district is projected to face a $29.5m deficit over the next two years, prompting the need for these difficult decisions.

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel

Alejandro Alvarez has been appointed as the new superintendent of Rialto USD, effective December 1. The school board unanimously approved his contract amid ongoing issues related to corruption allegations in the Nutrition Services department. Alvarez, who previously served as superintendent at Bassett USD, brings nearly 30 years of experience in public education. His contract includes a base salary of $356,000, a $5,000 annual doctoral stipend, and a $600 monthly vehicle allowance.

 

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Sacramento City USD is grappling with a significant budget deficit projected to reach $88m by the end of the 2027-28 school year. Board President Jasjit Singh emphasized the need for efficiency, commenting: “Some of the things that we're addressing tonight are things that should be addressed regardless.” To achieve fiscal solvency, the district must identify $58m in cuts this year, with proposals including increasing revenues by $40m and reducing salary costs by $12.3m. The district is also considering operational efficiencies and potential school consolidations due to declining enrollment. The final budget plan is due by December 1, and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team will conduct a fiscal health risk analysis to guide the district's financial decisions.

 

The Sacramento Bee

Pasadena USD is preparing to implement budget cuts of $30m-$35m due to a structural deficit caused by declining enrollment and rising costs. During a recent Board of Education meeting, community members urged leaders to protect essential programs. “Everything that happens at a school affects the classroom,” said Octavia E. Butler Librarian Natalie Daily. The district is analyzing eight workstreams for potential reductions, including school-based services and central office positions.

 

Pasadena Star-News

Glendale USD is currently accepting applications for its 2026-27 dual language immersion (DLI) and magnet programs until January 31, 2026. The lottery selection will occur on February 11, 2026. GUSD offers DLI in seven languages, starting from kindergarten, aiming to foster high levels of proficiency in both English and the target language. The magnet programs provide unique educational experiences across various themes at multiple school levels.

 

Cresenta Valley Weekly

A teenager was shot at Oakland’s Skyline High School on Wednesday, marking the second incident of gun violence at the school in a year and a half. Two juveniles were arrested, and two firearms were recovered. The victim is in stable condition at a hospital. The shooting prompted a lockdown of the campus, with parents receiving alerts.

 

EdSource

The University of California (UC) has introduced the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) to simplify the transfer process for community college students. This new curriculum aligns the general education requirements for both the UC and California State University (CSU) systems, addressing previous discrepancies. The curriculum consists of 11 courses across various subjects, including English and mathematics. Despite the changes, many community college students still face challenges in transferring, with only 20% achieving their goal within four years, as noted in a state audit.

 

Daily Bruin

Ontario’s Ministry of Education has announced that all school boards in the province will be required to open new Student and Family Support Offices designed to handle parent concerns that were not resolved at the school level. The five school boards currently under provincial supervision, Ottawa-Carleton, Dufferin-Peel Catholic, Thames Valley, Toronto District, and Toronto Catholic, must open their offices by January 2026, with full details posted on their websites by January 19. All other boards must open theirs by September 1 2026. Each office will be overseen by a supervisor, respond to inquiries within two business days, and aim to provide resolutions within five. The government says the initiative is part of broader reforms to modernize the school board governance structure.

 

CBC News

Toronto Star

Toronto Today

English Teacher, a comedy featuring Brian Jordan Alvarez, Stephanie Koenig, and Enrico Collantoni, has been canceled by FX after two seasons. Reports from Deadline, TVLine, and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the cancellation, although no official reason has been provided by the network. Alvarez, who created and starred in the series about a gay Texas high school teacher navigating personal and professional challenges, faced allegations of sexual assault earlier this year, which he denied. FX stated that the complainant did not reach out directly to express concerns.

 

Star-Telegram