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The Trump administration's funding cuts have significantly impacted K-12 education, disrupting over $12m in federal allocations. Education Week reports that the U.S. Department of Education canceled more than 730 grants worth at least $2.2bn across various programs. Lindsey Burke, deputy chief of staff for policy and programs at the Education Department, said: "We are using those dollars to reinvest in better projects that are really serving students better." The cuts have affected numerous initiatives, including special education and mental health services, leading to job losses for educators and halted projects. Despite pushback from lawmakers and ongoing legal challenges, the administration has shown little inclination to reverse its funding disruptions, raising concerns about the long-term effects on educational institutions.

 

Education Week News

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Homelessness remains a pressing issue in California, with a recent Public Policy Institute survey indicating that 80% of residents are concerned about the problem. The state's superintendent of public instruction, Tony Thurmond, is advocating for legislation to support subsidized housing for unaccompanied homeless youth. He aims to facilitate the construction of 2m affordable housing units on surplus school district properties by 2030, which would also assist teachers and school staff. Additionally, Thurmond plans to provide districts with start-up funds and technical support to collaborate with developers in building these housing units.

 

Daily Breeze

At Vintage High School, Shawn Sandahl, the printing and graphics teacher, has created a unique student-run enterprise that engages students in community projects. He believes that by involving students in these initiatives, he can "plant a seed of giving" that will continue to flourish. This approach not only enhances their learning experience but also fosters a sense of responsibility and community engagement among the students.

 

Napa Valley Register

Registration for the 2026-27 school year at the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) center began on January 20. This program serves nearly 1,500 students from over 45 schools in Santa Clara County, providing opportunities to earn college credit, industry certifications, and real-world experience. New courses this term include an AI engineering course, where students will "design intelligent systems" using Python and machine learning, and a pre-apprenticeship in metals technology, which has been approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Students can register through their home high school counselor, and transportation is free for those in the Campbell Union High School District.

 

Mercury News

Mercury News

Recent research from Harvard University, the University of Maryland College Park, and Stanford University highlights the importance of mathematical vocabulary in enhancing student performance in math. The study analyzed over 1,600 transcripts from fourth and fifth grade math lessons, revealing that students taught by teachers who utilized more mathematical terminology showed greater progress. Zachary Himmelsbach, the lead author, said: "It is the teachers who are using more mathematical vocabulary that are the more effective teachers, on average." The findings suggest that while vocabulary use is linked to improved student outcomes, it may also reflect broader teaching effectiveness. The study emphasizes the need for teachers to incorporate specific math vocabulary to foster deeper understanding among students, aligning with best practices recommended by the Institute of Education Sciences.

 

Education Week News

The Paly Education Council has rejected a proposal from teacher Daniel Nguyen to offer Multivariable Calculus at Palo Alto High School, disappointing students and parents advocating for advanced math options. Principal Brent Kline stated that the goal is to bring in a Foothill College instructor to teach the course during school hours instead of after hours. The council expressed concerns that the course would only benefit about 6% of students, potentially increasing pressure on students. Nguyen, who earned a master’s degree in math to teach the course, emphasized the importance of offering it during the school day to avoid conflicts with extracurricular activities. “It’s not fair for them when we have a perfectly viable option to take the course during the school day,” Nguyen said. Students have voiced their support for the class, arguing it would enhance their learning opportunities.

 

Palo Alto Daily Post

Concerns have been raised in Japan over escalating school violence following the circulation of viral bullying videos, one of which triggered a mass murder threat targeting a junior high school in Oita. The email threat, sent on January 11, warned of an imminent attack involving multiple accomplices. Although the threat did not materialise, it prompted a significant police response and the cancellation of after-school activities. The incident came just days after a video emerged showing a student violently assaulting a peer, followed by another clip from Tochigi showing a separate case of physical bullying. Both clips rapidly gained traction on social media, highlighting what experts say is a rising trend of bullying cases in schools, worsened by online sharing and under-reporting in official figures. Japan’s Ministry of Education recently revealed a record 769,022 reported bullying cases in fiscal 2024, with over 1,400 serious incidents and 413 student suicides – eight of which were linked to bullying. Experts attribute the surge to social media, economic pressures at home, and a lack of moral guidance among youth. Critics also accuse school boards of reacting only once footage becomes public.

 

South China Morning Post