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Education Secretary Linda McMahon's recent announcement to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education has drawn significant criticism from California officials and education advocates. The plan involves creating partnerships with six federal agencies, allowing the administration to shift programs under the Economy Act. California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said, “This is an unnecessary, disruptive change that is going to harm students, especially the most vulnerable.” Critics argue that the changes could lead to confusion and inefficiency, with Lupita Cortez Alcalá, executive director of Policy Analysis for California Education, stating, “If the United States wants to remain a global leader in education and workforce development, it must invest in a strong infrastructure.” The plan raises concerns about the future of education administration and the impact on vulnerable student populations.

 

EdSource

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According to an EdWeek Research Center survey, 60% of educators report expanded career and technical education (CTE) offerings over the past five years, driven by student demand and industry support. However, growth is hindered by shortages in teachers, space, and equipment. Diane Waite, a Minnesota business educator, highlighted that students value CTE’s practicality and career alignment. Digital tech, AI, and cybersecurity courses are expanding, with 28% of schools adding them recently. Funding, facility upgrades, and more CTE teachers are top priorities for improvement, with many calling for easier hiring of industry professionals without traditional teaching certification.

 

Education Week News

According to a new nationwide survey by KFF Health News, about one in 10 immigrant parents and three in 10 undocumented parents reported avoiding school and related events due to fears of immigration enforcement. The report highlights that "immigrants’ avoidance of activities outside the home are likely driven in part by heightened immigration enforcement activities." The survey found that four in 10 immigrants worry about detention or deportation, a significant increase from previous years. Additionally, many children in immigrant families express concerns about their family's safety. Financial struggles have also increased, with half of immigrants reporting difficulties in meeting basic needs.

 

EdSource

Pasadena USD is facing a significant financial crisis, with a projected structural deficit of $30m-$35m due to declining enrollment and rising costs. The Board of Education will vote on proposed cuts today totaling approximately $18.5m, which could impact vital programs and jobs. Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said there was a need to "reimagine, reinvent and do some transformation," viewing the crisis as an opportunity for positive change. The district's financial struggles have drawn warnings from Los Angeles County officials about potential county intervention if fiscal balance is not restored. The proposed cuts include reductions in athletics and staffing across various school levels, with implementation beginning in December.

 

LA Daily News

SGV Tribune

Santa Monica-Malibu USD (SMMUSD) and the City of Malibu are set to vote in December on three key agreements that would facilitate the district's division into two independent entities. The agreements include a Property Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement, an Operational Transfer Agreement, and a Joint Powers Agreement, which will define the distribution of resources and operations between the new Malibu USD and SMMUSD. Jon Kean, SMMUSD school board member, said, "It took considerable work from many people to reach this milestone". Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins expressed excitement about the upcoming hearings, highlighting the community's commitment to equity and high-quality education. The separation process has been ongoing since a 2015 petition.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

Long Beach USD has concluded an internal investigation into seven athletes who violated CIF rule 202 regarding transfer paperwork. As a result, three coaches, including head coach Justin Utupo, have faced disciplinary actions. The district announced that Utupo, who joined from Lakewood, has been released and will not coach in the district. One assistant coach resigned and is barred from coaching, while another has been reassigned to a campus staff position.

 

Los Angeles Times

In a rally outside a recent Natomas USD board meeting, teachers expressed their frustration over stalled contract negotiations, threatening to strike if their demands for higher wages, improved health benefits, and better classroom conditions are not met. The Natomas Teachers Association has been negotiating since February, but claims the district has not adequately addressed their requests, which include competitive salaries and manageable staffing ratios. With 90% of union members signing a strike petition, the first mediation session is set for December 10. Teachers also raised safety concerns, citing understaffing and incidents of violence in classrooms, highlighting the urgent need for support and resources.

 

The Sacramento Bee

David Reilly has been appointed as the new superintendent for Elk Grove USD, effective January 1, 2026, succeeding Christopher Hoffman.

 

The Sacramento Bee

More than 100 students at Skyline High School in Oakland staged a walkout on Tuesday, following a shooting incident on campus that left a 15-year-old student injured. The shooting, allegedly carried out by two juveniles with ghost guns, prompted the school's third lockdown this year. Students also marched in memory of John Beam, the athletic director at Laney College, who was shot the day after the Skyline incident. Many students experienced two lockdowns in a row during a field trip to Laney College.

 

EdSource

Oakland USD is on high alert following the sighting of a vehicle linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has increased its presence in the East Bay. District officials reassured families that students were safe, but the van's appearance outside Hoover Elementary School led to significant community concern, prompting nearly 100 residents to monitor the area.

 

Press Democrat

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT for Teachers, a specialized version of its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot tailored for K-12 educators and school districts. The tool will be available free of charge to educators in the U.S. until June 2027. According to Leah Belsky, vice president of education at OpenAI, “Our objective here is to make sure that teachers have access to AI tools as well as a teacher-focused experience so they can truly guide AI use.” The platform allows teachers to securely manage student information, receive personalized support, and collaborate with colleagues. OpenAI emphasizes that student data will be protected and not used for model training. While ChatGPT for Teachers is not designed for student use, it aims to equip educators with the necessary experience to foster responsible AI practices in their classrooms.

 

CNBC

University of California (UC) regents have voted to renew the "tuition stability" program, which caps annual tuition increases at 5% and reduces the share of tuition revenue allocated to financial aid from 45% to 40%. UC President James B. Milliken stated: "Moderate and predictable increases are necessary to sustain the quality of education that our students deserve." Despite this, students expressed strong opposition, arguing that the increase would exacerbate existing debt burdens. Student Regent Sonya Brooks highlighted concerns about the impact on student well-being, stating: "Before we pass a tuition model, can we at least have some sort of an assessment of the campus's capacity to support student well-being?" The regents acknowledged the financial challenges facing the university, including a $130m cut in state funding, but the decision remains contentious among the student body.

 

Los Angeles Times

Meta has begun notifying young Australians to download their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads ahead of a new law banning accounts for users under 16. The Australian government mandated that platforms must exclude users younger than 16 starting December 10th. Meta informed thousands of young users via SMS and email, saying: “We will start notifying impacted teens today to give them the opportunity to save their contacts and memories.” With an estimated 350,000 Australians aged 13 to 15 on Instagram, the company is taking steps to comply with the law. Meta's vice president, Antigone Davis, emphasized the need for a more accurate age verification system, suggesting that app stores should collect age information during sign-up. Dany Elachi, founder of Heaps Up Alliance, supported the age restriction, observing: “children under the age of 16 are better off in the real world.”

 

AP News

BBC News

Reuters

Sydney Morning Herald