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California
28th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Labor groups split in California superintendent race

In the race for California's next superintendent of public instruction, labor support is notably divided. Richard Barrera, president of the San Diego USD board, received a significant endorsement from the California Teachers Association (CTA), which boasts 310,000 members. Kevin Gordon, president and chief executive of Capitol Advisors, remarked, "It's incredibly unusual for labor to be so divided in its selection." Meanwhile, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi has also garnered support from the California Federation of Teachers and the California School Employees Association. Muratsuchi has prioritized increasing funding for teachers and school employees. 

MULTILINGUAL LEARNER PD

Multilingual Learner Classroom Strategies from Leading Experts

Multilingual learners have a wealth of strengths to offer their classrooms and communities. Explore bite-sized professional development featuring effective practices from two leading experts, Dr. Luz Yadira Herrera and Dr. Kate Kinsella, that build from the cultural and linguistic assets that multilingual learner students already possess to activate engagement and accelerate growth.

Explore multilingual learner strategies and solutions

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Ed. Dept. slashes sexual assault investigations amid staff cuts and policy shifts

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has sharply reduced its investigations into sexual violence in schools following mass layoffs by the Trump administration. With half its legal staff gone and a backlog exceeding 25,000 cases, the department has opened fewer than 10 sexual violence probes since March 2025, down from dozens annually. Meanwhile, it has increased Title IX investigations into transgender accommodations. Victims now increasingly turn to lawsuits as complaints stall or go unacknowledged. Advocates say this undermines accountability, risks a return to a two-tiered justice system, and erodes decades of civil rights progress. Though the department has pledged to restore some staff, it continues defending the layoffs and its revised Title IX focus.

CHARTERS

Palisades High reopens after wildfire

Palisades Charter High School reopened its campus on Tuesday, marking a significant moment for the community after last year's devastating wildfire. Alumni, longtime residents, and parents gathered to celebrate the return of students, with Tolley Casparis, a 1982 alumna, stating, “This is our first big moment of the community coming home.” Officials said the return to campus was intentionally delayed to allow for extensive air, soil and water testing, as well as remediation work inside affected buildings.

Highlands school faces uncertain future

The future of Highlands Community Charter and Technical School is in jeopardy as Twin Rivers USD considers revoking its charter. Paraeducator Nelofar Nasir expressed concern, stating that the school provides essential resources, including support for domestic violence victims. The board's recent rejection of a plan to reduce the school's teaching sites raises questions about their commitment to the community. Jonathan Raymond, the new executive director of Highlands, warned, “Revocation carries significant financial risk for Twin Rivers and the community.” He emphasized that closure would deprive thousands of adult learners of vital services. The board's decision on Tuesday will be pivotal for the school's future and the community it serves.

WORKFORCE

San Diego USD teachers threaten strike over staffing

San Diego USD teachers are set to strike on February 26 if special education staffing issues are not addressed. The San Diego Education Association, representing over 6,000 educators, claims the district is breaching special education caseload limits outlined in their contract. A rally is planned before the district board meeting as a final public appeal before the strike, according to a union press release. Last month, union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if the district fails to reduce special education teachers' caseloads. The union is also negotiating a new contract for higher salaries and improved staffing, although these negotiations are separate from the strike.

Celebrating Stanislaus County's finest employees

The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region VII recently honored exceptional non-supervisory classified education employees in Stanislaus County. The “Employees Making a Difference” program recognized 28 outstanding classified staff on January 21, with nine selected to represent the county in the California Department of Education’s statewide recognition program. Among the honorees was Shelly Gentry, a Warehouse Delivery Driver from Oakdale Joint USD, recognized in the Transportation Services Category. This initiative highlights the vital contributions of classified staff in education, showcasing their dedication and impact on students and schools.

Redlands school board faces backlash

The Redlands school board approved layoffs affecting 135 employees in a 3-2 vote, prompting audience members to shout "Shame on you." Board President Michele Rendler and members Candy Olson and Jeanette Wilson supported the cuts, while Patty Holohan and Melissa Ayala-Quintero opposed them. Deputy Superintendent Jason Hill attributed the financial crisis to the loss of COVID-19 funding, stating, "This is something the district saw coming two years ago." Redlands Teachers Association President Stephen Caperton highlighted that the cuts would primarily impact teaching staff, with only three district office jobs affected. Concerns were raised about the impact on student care, particularly regarding medical staff for students with specific health needs.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

E-bike program boosts safety at Los Gatos

Los Gatos High School has launched an effective e-bike safety program, requiring students to complete a safety course and register their bikes online. The initiative, developed by campus supervisor Angel Lopez, aims to eliminate illegal bikes and promote responsible riding. Since its implementation, the school has seen the removal of eight to 10 illegal bikes and no reported thefts, a significant improvement from previous years. Principal Dave Poetzinger noted: “Students are slowing down, wearing helmets more consistently and walking their bikes once they reach campus.” The program is also set to expand to Fisher Middle School to instill safety standards early.

MATH

Unpacking the grade inflation debate

Glenn Sacks, a high school Government teacher in Los Angeles USD, says a recent UC San Diego report highlights a decline in incoming freshmen's math skills, prompting conservative critics to blame teachers and their unions for grade inflation. However, teachers often resist grade inflation, advocating for accountability. The pressure to inflate grades often comes from school districts and administrators, who aim to improve attendance and funding. Sacks writes: "Rigor and accountability are great in the abstract, but in practice, teachers cannot ignore their students' struggles."

HIGHER EDUCATION

Yale to offer free tuition for families earning under $200,000

Yale University has announced that beginning with the fall 2026 class, it will waive tuition for students from families earning under $200,000 annually and cover full costs — including housing and meals — for those with incomes below $100,000. This move aligns Yale with peer institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Penn, which have recently expanded financial aid to boost economic and racial diversity following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling restricting race-based admissions. Under the new policy, about 80% of U.S. households would qualify for free tuition, and nearly half would pay nothing to attend Yale. The initiative also includes travel allowances, medical insurance, and start-up grants for low-income students.

INTERNATIONAL

French Parliament backs U-15 social media ban and school phone curbs

French lawmakers have approved legislation banning access to social media for children under 15 and prohibiting mobile phone use on high school premises. Backed by President Emmanuel Macron’s government and fast-tracked through parliament, the bill was introduced by MP Laure Miller following concerns over the psychological impact of platforms such as TikTok on minors. After legal concerns from France’s top administrative court about compatibility with EU law and fundamental freedoms, the bill was softened and rewritten. The adopted version does not directly impose obligations on platforms but states that access to social networks is prohibited for under-15s, with the government indicating platforms will need to implement age-verification measures. The legislation also includes provisions to protect minors from excessive commercial pressure and harmful content, and could extend to certain social features of messaging apps and popular video games. The government intends for the social media ban to apply to new registrations from September 2026, with full age verification of users required by January 1 2027, allowing the measures to take effect at the start of the next school year.
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