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Plaintiffs in California school districts with deteriorating facilities are asking a court to freeze $3bn in state modernization funding while a lawsuit over the funding formula moves forward. They argue the current system favors property-wealthy districts and leaves students in poorer communities in unsafe buildings with mold, asbestos, leaks, and failing infrastructure. John Affeldt, managing attorney for Public Advocates, said: “These funds and the educational opportunity are too important to stand by and watch another $4bn go out unfairly.” A May 13 hearing could shape whether the state pauses distributions or pursues a settlement.

 

EdSource

Why Great Teachers Don’t Guess When It Comes to Support

With California’s English Language Arts/English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework guiding instruction from preschool to high school, we’re all tuning into literacy in a whole new way. The framework’s five big ideas — Foundational Skills, Meaning Making, Language Development, Effective Expression, and Content Knowledge — aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the compass for knowing when and what kind of support students truly need to be successful readers and writers.

Teachers deserve high-quality instructional resources that enable them to pinpoint exactly when and where a student needs support — whether that’s decoding in kindergarten, vocabulary in middle school, or strategic comprehension in high school. A literacy approach rooted in evidence-based instruction and intentional monitoring ensures all students succeed.  

Dive into evidence-based practices that advance teaching and learning.

 

Most U.S. school mental health projects that had faced cancellation will continue receiving federal funding for at least three more months after a federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s request to keep the grants frozen. The U.S. Department of Education has notified 120 grant recipients that funding for programmes hiring and training school mental health professionals will continue until June 1, though the department said it is issuing the extension “under protest” while appealing a lower-court ruling that found the earlier cancellations unlawful. The grants were part of two programs created to expand school-based mental health services and were funded through $1bn approved by Congress in 2022 following the Uvalde, Texas school shooting.

 

Education Week News

New NWEA data shows first and second graders continue to score below pre-pandemic peers in math and reading, even though many were infants or not yet born when COVID-19 began. Math scores have improved gradually, but reading has remained flat, suggesting broader social and developmental factors beyond classroom disruption. Megan Kuhfeld, a researcher at NWEA, said, “there’s something kind of systemic here happening ... within schools and outside of schools.” Districts are responding with phonics instruction, literacy assessments, and early interventions, while some states are expanding pre-kindergarten access.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

U.S. News

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision reinstating parents' rights to be informed about their child's gender identity has created a great deal of uncertainty for California schools. In a 6-3 vote, the Court upheld a ruling that parents must be notified of a child's "gender incongruence," stating that California's policies allowing schools to facilitate gender transitions without parental consent violate constitutional rights. Paul M. Jonna, attorney at the Thomas More Society, said: "The Supreme Court’s reaffirmation that parents — not the government — hold primary authority over their children’s upbringing... sets a national precedent." LGBTQ advocates warn that this decision could jeopardize the mental health of transgender students, as many face increased risks when outed to their families. The California Department of Education has yet to provide guidance on how schools should navigate these new legal requirements.

 

EdSource

Los Angeles USD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has issued his first statement following an FBI raid on his home and office related to the failed AllHere chatbot initiative. Carvalho, currently on paid leave, has not been charged with any wrongdoing. In his statement, he expressed confidence that "the evidence will ultimately demonstrate that he acted appropriately and in the best interests of students." The investigation stems from AllHere, which was intended to enhance student communication but collapsed shortly after its launch in 2024. The FBI's actions included searching Carvalho's home and the district headquarters, where they seized various items. While Carvalho has not commented on the raid's conduct, he remains focused on supporting students and families in the district. The investigation also involves Debra Kerr, an education sales consultant linked to AllHere, who has not been charged.

 

Los Angeles Times

The Modesto Bee

According to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, middle and high school students spend over two hours of their school day on smartphones, checking their devices an average of 64 times. Lead researcher Eva Telzer, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, said: "Smartphones are no longer something students use occasionally during school, they're present during every hour of the day." The study found that frequent phone checking is linked to diminished attention and impulse control, which are essential for academic success. Senior researcher Kaitlyn Burnell noted that social media and entertainment account for over 70% of students' screen time during school hours. The findings suggest that implementing policies to limit smartphone access during instructional time may enhance students' focus and engagement.

 

U.S. News

Securly’s review of nearly 1.2m student interactions with generative AI found that about 20% involved cheating, bullying, self-harm, or other problematic behavior, while 2% signaled possible safety risks such as violence or cyberbullying. Most flagged misuse centered on students trying to get AI to do their schoolwork. Tammy Wincup, chief executive of Securly, said: “When a district actually sets some guardrails and policies around their AI usage in schools, 80% of the conversations happening are within the district's policies.” The findings highlight both the scale of student experimentation with AI and the need for stronger oversight.

 

Education Week News

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and evolving technologies are pushing traditional high schools to adapt, as highlighted in the XQ Institute's report, "The Future Is High School." The report emphasizes that "today's world requires an entirely new kind of educational experience," urging schools to focus on critical thinking and real-world skills. XQ CEO Russlynn Ali stated: "We need to be critical thinkers... adaptable," underscoring the importance of interpersonal skills alongside academics. While 46 states have made strides in offering work experience as credit, no state has fully met all 10 innovation goals set by XQ. The organization plans to track progress and encourage states to adopt these goals, with a tour starting in March 2026.

 

The Modesto Bee

Sequoia UHSD has officially adopted MagicSchool as its districtwide artificial intelligence (AI) educational support tool following a successful pilot program. The program has shown to enhance teaching efficiency by freeing up teachers' time and providing personalized learning opportunities for students. Teachers expressed enthusiasm about the tool's potential to improve instruction while allowing them to focus more on student interactions. The district plans to develop guidelines for responsible AI use, with input from community experts, as they navigate privacy concerns and the balance of information needed for effective educational support.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

Hundreds of Dublin USD teachers are on strike as of Monday morning after prolonged negotiations with the Dublin Teachers Association and the district. “We are on strike because DUSD management refuses to invest in our students,” the union stated in a social media post. The Dublin Teachers Association is advocating for a 3.5% raise, improved health care, smaller class sizes, and full-time counselors at every elementary school. While most schools in the district have adjusted their schedules due to the strike, all schools remain open, with breakfast and lunch provided.

 

EdSource

East Bay

Alameda USD has reached tentative agreements with the Alameda Education Association and the Classified School Employees Association, resulting in a 10% salary increase for staff over three years, along with a 2% bonus and a 76% increase in health coverage contributions. "The next step is for the members of the two unions to ratify their tentative agreements," said Susan Davis, AUSD's senior manager for community affairs. Additionally, AUSD is hosting various community events, including a poetry slam on March 21 and a Youth Career & Job Fair on April 1, aimed at engaging students and promoting nonviolence.  

 

East Bay

The Modesto City Schools Board of Education has authorized layoffs affecting at least 21 staff members, with a total of 30 positions being cut. This decision, made with a 5-0 vote, does not impact teaching roles. The district's human resources team will assist those affected in finding new roles or training for reassignment. The layoffs are part of a broader trend, with districts statewide issuing hundreds of layoff notices due to fiscal challenges.

 

The Modesto Bee

Vallejo City USD is undergoing significant changes due to financial pressures, including reduced staffing and school closures. Superintendent Rubén Aurelio said: "Declining enrollment means some schools are operating significantly below capacity," leading to the unanimous decision to close Pennycook, Lincoln, and Highland elementary schools. The district is addressing a projected $32m budget deficit over the next two years by cutting over 220 positions. Despite these changes, Aurelio assured families that class sizes would remain unchanged and that essential programs, including those for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), would continue.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Mountain Empire USD has secured $2.2m in state funding to begin designing upgrades for its elementary schools. However, to proceed with construction, the district must pass a school bond to access additional state funds, a challenge it has faced in the past.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Michael Specchierla, the executive director of SLO Partners, has withdrawn from the race for San Luis Obispo County Superintendent of Schools, a position he announced his candidacy for on January 20, 2026. In a news release, Specchierla said: “After careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw from the race... and continue focusing my work on expanding career technical education and workforce pathways for students across our region.” His decision leaves Joe Koski, the assistant superintendent of educational support services, as the sole candidate for the position, which has been held by James Brescia since 2014.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Coarsegold Elementary in Madera County has introduced a "Zen Den," a wellness space designed to support students' social and emotional learning. This initiative is part of California's $4bn effort to transform high-poverty campuses into community schools, which provide essential services like health care and mental health support. Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed permanent funding for these schools, aiming to allocate an additional $1bn annually if approved. Marisa Saunders, associate director of research for the UCLA Center for Community Schooling, noted that the community school model has roots dating back to the Civil Rights Movement. Evidence suggests that community schools have led to significant improvements in student outcomes, with chronic absenteeism declining by 30% more than in comparison schools.

 

EdSource

Three finalists for the 2026–27 National Middle School Principal of the Year award say fostering a strong sense of belonging is key to improving attendance, behavior, and academic success. Deborah Dennie, principal of Leonardtown Middle School in Maryland, uses creative incentives and community connections to motivate students to attend school. One initiative included inviting Miss Maryland, Maria Derisavi, to encourage students to show up every day. Dennie built excitement with trivia, videos, and prizes ahead of the visit, part of a broader effort to keep students engaged throughout the school year. Her school’s attendance rate has risen to 94.5%, up from 93% the previous year. Sonia Ruiz, principal of Jane Addams Middle School in Illinois, gathers regular feedback from students through surveys to understand what makes them feel connected to school. Using the responses, she implemented a “2x10” strategy in which teachers spend two minutes a day for ten days building relationships with students who feel disconnected. Ruiz has also adjusted advisory periods to address both academic gaps and social-emotional development. David Wiedlich, principal of Radnor Middle School in Pennsylvania, focuses on ensuring every student is known personally by at least one adult. Twice a year, staff review student photos to identify those who may not yet have strong connections with teachers, and then intentionally work to build relationships with them. All three leaders emphasize that when students feel seen, supported, and connected to their school community, they are more likely to attend regularly, stay engaged, and succeed academically.

 

Education Week News

The family of 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who was critically injured in the February 10 shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, has sued OpenAI for negligence. The claim says the suspect used ChatGPT to discuss violent scenarios, with staff reportedly identifying an “imminent risk of serious harm” but leadership declining to contact law enforcement. After one account was banned, the lawsuit says he opened another and continued. Gebala survived three gunshot wounds but suffered a traumatic brain injury and permanent disabilities.

 

The Hill

Wall Street Journal

Alberta school boards have removed at least 166 titles, mostly graphic novels, from school libraries after a provincial order required schools to take any material depicting explicit sexual acts out of student access. Books pulled from shelves include illustrated versions of literary classics such as The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984, as well as titles covering topics including mythology, philosophy, art, gender identity, and coming-of-age memoirs. The policy, introduced by the province’s education minister, is intended to protect students from graphic imagery, but critics, including free expression advocates, authors, and students, say it represents a broad form of censorship that ignores the educational value of the works and restricts reading choices for older students. Supporters, including some parent groups, argue the measure is a reasonable safeguard for minors and ensures schools provide age-appropriate materials, while the rule has also prompted calls for expanded oversight of libraries beyond schools.

 

CBC News

British MPs voted 307-173 against a proposal to ban children under 16 from using social media, which had been added to the children's wellbeing and schools bill. Lord John Nash, a supporter of the ban, stated that parents are in "an impossible position" to protect their children online. Despite the defeat, the House of Commons has granted Science Secretary Liz Kendall additional powers to limit children's access to social media and chatbots. The Labour government's education minister, Olivia Bailey, proposed a consultation to explore setting a minimum age and disabling addictive features. This decision follows similar actions in Australia and France, where bans for under-16s are being considered.

 

Star-Telegram