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California
18th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Teachers call for behavior management training

Elementary school teachers are increasingly reporting severe behavioral issues among young students, with many seeking additional training to manage these challenges. Andrea Quinn, a veteran teacher at Lead Elementary School in San Mateo, said: "They're just so much more physical. We're struggling with kids being able to talk to each other and talk to adults in a respectful manner." Federal data indicates a rise in the percentage of educators wanting more classroom management training, from 51% in May 2022 to 65% last year. Experts attribute this surge in behavioral problems to the pandemic's impact on children's social-emotional development. Many young students missed crucial early educational experiences, leading to difficulties in managing emotions and interactions. As schools adopt various approaches to address these issues, the need for effective teacher training remains critical.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Prepare Your Students For Their Future, Today

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 provides school leaders with the tools needed to elevate CTE, from student interest surveys to employment landscape checklists.  

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 Free Guide


 

HEALTH & WELLBEING

LAUSD 5K Health and Wellness Festival a success

The Los Angeles USD (LASUSD) 5K Health and Wellness Festival took place at Dodger Stadium, promoting fitness and mental health as the community recovers from recent fires. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, who participated in the run, expressed the event's spirit, saying, “When 10,000 people who believe in LAUSD come together, we're looking at 10,000 dreamers, freedom fighters, and believers.” The festival aimed to mark a year since the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires, emphasizing resilience and community support. LAUSD Wellness Program Director William Celestine highlighted the importance of addressing both physical and mental health, stating, “It's very important for us to be mindful of not only our physical health but also our mental health.” The event also featured resources for fire-affected families, aiming to raise awareness and support for their needs.

FINANCE

Dublin school cuts spark outrage

Teachers, students, and parents recently gathered at a school board meeting to protest significant budget cuts proposed by the Dublin USD. The district's assistant superintendent, Heather Campos, suggested eliminating over 30 full-time positions and 12 substitute teacher roles due to declining enrollment and budget shortfalls. "With all these teachers gone, where are these kids going?" asked district teacher Krystal Shaw, highlighting concerns over overcrowded classrooms. Despite public outcry, the board decided against immediate cuts, with Trustee Dan Cherrier being the only vote in favor. Superintendent Chris Funk assured the community that most positions would likely be reinstated, but many remained skeptical. The board plans to revisit the issue at their next meeting on February 24.

Redwood City schools eye parcel tax

The Redwood City School District is considering a parcel tax to generate $12.2m annually, which may appear on the June ballot. The proposed tax would be 17.5 cents per building square foot, with exemptions for seniors and a cap on total amounts, lasting for eight years. Trustee Mike Wells said, “I think this looks really good. It would be a tremendous win for our school sites and for our district.” The revenue would be split between school sites and districtwide programs, with each site receiving a base allocation of $50,000 plus additional funds based on enrollment. This new tax would supplement the existing Measure U, which generates about $1.9m annually. The district is noted as one of the lowest funded elementary school districts in San Mateo County.

WORKFORCE

Los Angeles USD faces massive layoffs ahead

The Los Angeles USD Board of Education is considering issuing preliminary layoff notices to address a projected structural deficit of $877m for the 2026-2027 school year. The proposal includes notices for around 2,600 contract management employees and certificated administrators, along with reductions affecting 657 classified positions. Labor groups, including United Teachers Los Angeles and SEIU Local 99, have urged the board to delay action until updated state revenue forecasts are available, arguing that layoffs create "a cruel period of uncertainty, stress, and panic." Max Arias, executive director of SEIU Local 99, emphasized the importance of classified workers, noting: "You cannot talk about student achievement while cutting the very adults students rely on every day." The district claims the layoffs are necessary due to declining enrollment and the end of COVID-19 relief funds, warning that failing to act now could lead to deeper cuts next year.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

No threat at Golden Valley High

On Tuesday morning, social media reports mistakenly indicated a school shooting at Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita. However, Debbie Dunn, director of communication and community engagement at the William S. Hart Union High School District, confirmed that the incident actually occurred at a different Golden Valley High School in Bakersfield. Dunn said, “Golden Valley High School sent a message to parents that says, ‘We've confirmed these posts concern a school in Bakersfield and not related to our campus. There is no threat to Golden Valley in Santa Clarita.'” Parents were reassured that their school was safe and secure.

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PRESCHOOL

California's kindergarten shift shakes preschools

California's expanded transitional kindergarten (TK) program is providing free pre-kindergarten to families, but concerns have been raised it is also leading to the closure of private preschools. Frisha Moore, owner of Moore Learning Preschool, noted that many families are opting for TK, which is free and lasts about 3.5 hours, over her full-day preschool. This shift has left her center struggling financially, with only 40% enrollment. Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration has significantly increased funding for early childhood education, tripling it from over $5bn in 2020 to more than $14bn this year. While many parents appreciate the cost savings and educational benefits of TK, the program's expansion has destabilized the private childcare sector, raising concerns about the availability of care for younger children.

INTERNATIONAL

Ireland's schools demand clarity over proposed SNA allocation reductions

Calls are mounting for clarity after several schools in Ireland were informed their Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations may be reduced from September 2026. Trade union Fórsa said multiple schools have been notified by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) that SNA posts will be cut, but there is little information about how many schools or jobs are affected, or the reasons behind the reductions. While overall SNA numbers are set to increase nationally by more than 1,000 posts, concerns remain that some schools are losing support before a promised redeployment scheme is introduced. Fórsa has urged Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton to address the issue, warning that stricter criteria may be limiting SNA support to students with physical care needs, potentially overlooking those requiring emotional or behavioural assistance. The Department of Education said SNA allocations are reviewed annually based on student numbers and care needs, in line with existing guidelines.

AND FINALLY......

Lessons for the classroom from Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance

Peter DeWitt, a former K-5 public school principal and founder of the Instructional Leadership Collective, and Michael Nelson, a K-12 educator and leadership coach, reflect on the leadership lessons from Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance. They emphasize that leadership should be viewed as an invitation to inclusivity and understanding. They say: "Before you judge a community, ask what you've truly tried to understand. Before you “go neutral,” ask who neutrality harms. And before you speak for others, make space for them to speak for themselves. This week, pick one lesson below and act on it—then collect evidence of impact." The performance serves as a case study for school leaders, highlighting the importance of sharing personal stories, embracing community diversity, and celebrating the voices of others. Key takeaways include honoring students, choosing unity over divisiveness, and calling out inequities within school communities.
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