Become more informed in minutes....

Teachers in Los Angeles and San Francisco have voted overwhelmingly to authorize strikes, with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) reporting a 94% approval from its 35,000 members. In San Francisco, 97.6% of over 5,200 teachers supported the strike, marking a potential first in 50 years, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said: "For nearly a year, educators have stood united around our contract demands because we know what our schools need." Both unions are currently in a fact-finding stage, and if negotiations fail, they are prepared to strike. Meanwhile, Los Angeles USD has reached a $3.1bn agreement with labor partners to extend health benefits. San Francisco USD Superintendent Maria Su expressed commitment to negotiating in good faith, noting: "Avoiding a strike and minimizing disruption for students remains our priority."

 

EdSource

Level Up Your Students’ Future-Ready Skills

As the workforce and student needs evolve, how can schools ensure students are future-ready? Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strategic solution. Our comprehensive free guide empowers school leaders with practical tools—from student interest surveys to employment landscape checklists—to strengthen CTE offerings and equip students with the skills, knowledge, and mindsets needed for future success.

In the guide, you’ll have access to:

• An overview of nationally recognized Career Clusters and Programs of Study
  
• Tips for selecting the best career pathways that evolve with the employment landscape
  
• Sample survey questions to gauge students’ interests in future career opportunities
  
• And more!

Download The Guide

 

As Southern California school districts grapple with declining student enrollment, a significant debate over public school funding is emerging. California's unique approach relies on average daily attendance (ADA) rather than enrollment counts, unlike 45 other states. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) recently assessed this method, arguing that ADA encourages schools to boost attendance, which is crucial as numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels. "The available research shows that attendance is a strong predictor of student achievement," LAO reported. However, critics, including Adam Weinberger, president of the California School Employees Association, argue that ADA disadvantages low-income districts. LAO estimates that switching to enrollment-based funding could cost taxpayers about $6bn annually, but they maintain that current funding formulas adequately support disadvantaged schools. Advocates for enrollment-based funding argue it would enhance transparency and simplify budgeting, ultimately benefiting students and classrooms. Aaron Garth Smith from Reason Foundation supports this reform, emphasizing its potential to improve educational outcomes.

 

Daily Breeze

Press Enterprise

An Anthropic study has found that while artificial intelligence (AI) tools can assist with task completion, heavy reliance on them may weaken skill development, particularly when people are learning new technical concepts. In experiments with developers learning an unfamiliar Python library, participants using AI scored about 17% lower on measures of conceptual understanding, code reading and debugging compared with those working without AI, and showed no significant overall productivity gains. The research shows that how AI is used matters: participants who delegated most thinking to AI learned the least, while those who used AI to ask conceptual questions or seek explanations retained stronger skills. The findings raise concerns for education and workforce training, suggesting that unstructured AI use could undermine long-term competence unless learning is deliberately designed to keep humans actively engaged.

 

ETIH

During a recent Santa Rosa City Schools board meeting, community members, including teachers, parents, and students, expressed strong opposition to proposed school closures. Kathryn Howell, president of the Santa Rosa Teachers Association, emphasized the impact of these closures, warning: "You’re going to lose your students if you close." The board is considering significant budget cuts, with a projected deficit of $3m for the current year and $23m for the 2026-27 school year. The community is rallying to prevent these closures, highlighting the importance of maintaining educational resources and support for students.

 

Press Democrat

In a recent ruling, Judge Randolph M. Hammock found in favor of Pasadena USD regarding a discrimination lawsuit filed by parents of students from three majority-Latino elementary schools that were closed in 2019. The plaintiffs, including David Chavez and Danae Tapia, argued that the closures were unconstitutional and disproportionately affected Latino students. However, Hammock stated: "The short answer to both questions is an unequivocal ‘no,’" regarding any legal violations by the PUSD. The judge noted that the evidence presented by the plaintiffs was insufficient, noting: "The paltry evidence submitted at the trial did not even preponderate in favor of the plaintiffs on any material issue." The lawsuit was initiated in December 2022, but the court found no substantial negative impact on the students involved.

 

Pasadena Star-News

In the evolving landscape of education leadership, hiring practices for principals are undergoing significant changes. Andrew Rebello, assistant superintendent at Bristol-Plymouth Technical High School in Taunton, Massachusetts, emphasizes the importance of a thorough selection process, commenting: "Right behind the teacher in the classroom, the next most important person is the principal for student outcomes." Involving teachers, parents, and students in the hiring process has become essential, particularly in light of increased scrutiny on schools post-pandemic. Henry Tran, director of the Talent Centered Education Leadership Initiative at the University of South Carolina, noted that districts are now seeking candidates who can adapt to changing challenges rather than merely following traditional scripts. The hiring process often includes simulations and role-plays to assess candidates' responses to real-world scenarios, ensuring they possess the necessary skills to lead effectively. As districts prioritize strong instructional leadership, candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to foster a positive school climate and address pressing issues.

 

Education Week News

California's $11.5m Arts Education Accelerator Fund aims to tackle the shortage of qualified arts educators in K-12 schools. The initiative, led by organizations like the Hewlett Foundation, will develop training and credentialing programs for visual and performing arts teachers. Tom DeCaigny, co-chair of the fund’s advisory board, said, “The benefit of the Arts and Music in Schools Act is that there [is] funding for a large number of new visual and performing arts credentialed and certificated staff.” Despite this funding, many schools remain unclear on how to effectively utilize the resources. Alfredo Guzman, a visual arts teacher, noted that schools often spend funds without a clear plan, leading to challenges in hiring qualified teachers. The fund also aims to address disparities in arts access, particularly in low-income and rural communities, ensuring that more students can benefit from arts education. Penelope Oliver, a UC Berkeley sophomore, emphasized the importance of arts in education, stating, “There’s no education without an arts education.”

 

EdSource

Taiwan outperformed both global and East Asian averages across multiple education indicators in 2024, according to a Ministry of Education report released in January. Completion rates reached 100% at primary level, 99.69% at lower secondary and 98.81% at upper secondary, well above global and regional norms. The share of students over-age for their grade was close to zero, far below international averages, while tertiary gross enrolment stood at 94.35%, more than double the global average and significantly ahead of East Asia. The report also showed full gender parity in completion rates across all school levels, with slightly higher female participation in tertiary education.

 

Focus Taiwan