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California
13th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

California sues Oakland USD over antisemitism

The California Department of Education has filed a lawsuit against Oakland USD for allegedly failing to address "pervasive antisemitism" on its campuses. The lawsuit, initiated on March 5, follows a state order from January that mandated specific actions to combat a "discriminatory environment" in Oakland schools. The state claims OUSD "took no action whatsoever," despite requests for more time to implement changes. The lawsuit highlights a national debate on how schools handle antisemitism amid the Israel-Palestine conflict, with critics arguing that efforts to combat antisemitism may suppress pro-Palestinian viewpoints. The state required OUSD to take several actions, including sending letters condemning antisemitism and holding assemblies about the Holocaust. 

SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA STUDENTS

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.

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Commission urges major education overhaul to prepare students for AI-driven economy

A bipartisan commission convened by the Bipartisan Policy Center has urged sweeping changes to the U.S. education and workforce systems to prepare students for disruptions driven by artificial intelligence. The report says the federal government should coordinate a national workforce strategy, improve data systems that track students from school into careers, and fund research to help states align education with evolving labor market needs. The commission also recommends raising academic standards, creating a federal K–12 “scorecard” comparing state proficiency levels with national benchmarks, and providing incentives for states that improve student outcomes. It calls for redesigning high school so students graduate with credentials and skills relevant to employers, expanding competency-based learning models, and encouraging innovative teacher staffing strategies. While the strategy should be national, commissioners say implementation should largely occur at the state and local levels to respond to rapidly changing workforce demands.

LEGAL

California takes on Trump’s data demands

California is suing the Trump administration over a policy requiring colleges to report extensive admissions data, including race and gender, by March 18. The lawsuit, led by Attorney General Rob Bonta, argues that the policy threatens student privacy and imposes an unreasonable deadline. Bonta described the requirement as a “fishing expedition” that demands excessive data under the pretense of enforcing civil rights law. The administration claims the data collection is necessary to ensure compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned race-based affirmative action. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell noted that “there is no way for institutions to reasonably deliver accurate data in the federal government's rushed and arbitrary timeframe.” 

Modesto schools tighten immigration policy

Modesto City Schools is revising its immigration enforcement policy in light of recent federal and state changes regarding ICE access. The Board of Education approved the first reading of the updated policy, which reflects California's Assembly Bill 49. This law restricts ICE access to school sites unless officers present a "valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena, or a court order." The updated policy mandates that school staff refrain from collecting citizenship information or sharing student records without proper legal documentation. It also requires staff to verify the identification of immigration enforcement officers attempting to enter school premises. The superintendent is tasked with reporting any ICE requests to the Board of Education. The policy will undergo a second reading at a future meeting.

Corruption case reveals COVID contract scandal

Todd Ament, the former Anaheim Chamber of Commerce leader, is embroiled in a legal dispute over his plea deal in a corruption case, which has unveiled allegations regarding a federal investigation into COVID testing contracts at the Santa Ana USD. U.S. District Court Judge Fernando Aenlle-Rocha ordered the unsealing of court records ahead of a March 18 hearing. Ament, who accepted a plea deal admitting guilt to a $41,000 kickback, now seeks to withdraw, claiming he was misadvised by his attorney. The investigation includes claims of overbilling related to a COVID clinic contract.

School district pays $1m for bullying

The Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District has agreed to pay nearly $1m to settle a civil lawsuit involving a female student, A.B., who suffered head injuries and emotional trauma due to persistent bullying and assaults at Creekview Ranch School. The lawsuit claimed that school staff failed to supervise students and did not adhere to district policies on bullying.

WORKFORCE

Teachers on strike: a growing trend

Dublin educators initiated a strike on Monday, joining a wave of similar actions across California as contract negotiations falter. Teachers are demanding higher wages and comprehensive family health care, but district officials claim these requests are "far beyond" their financial capabilities. This strike follows recent walkouts in San Francisco and West Contra Costa, with other districts like Natomas Unified also threatening to strike. The California Teachers Association (CTA) has been coordinating efforts among 32 districts to unify demands for better pay and conditions, leading to an unprecedented number of strikes this year. "Locals are maximizing their power, moving from isolated fights to a coordinated campaign," said the CTA in a recent publication. The ongoing negotiations suggest that more strikes could occur in the near future, particularly in Los Angeles, the state's largest district.

Union members rally against staffing cuts

Union members in Vallejo expressed their anger at a recent school board meeting over significant staffing cuts linked to the district's reconfiguration plan. The California School Employees Association (CSEA) organized a rally outside the Mare Island office, where members chanted: "When we fight, we win." Glenn Loveall, executive director of the The board's decision to cut approximately 220 positions for the 2026-2027 school year has raised concerns about the impact on classified staff. Elizabeth Harrison, Vice President of Service Employees International Union Local 102, highlighted the essential roles of support staff, saying: "You're the unspoken heroes of our education system." The board meeting was marked by tension as union members filled the room, leading to a brief recess. Ultimately, the board approved the Second Interim Report for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which indicated ongoing financial challenges for the district.

Teachers unite for better pay

Hundreds of educators from Sacramento-area school districts gathered to demand pay raises, improved health care, and increased staffing. The march across Tower Bridge symbolized a unified call for education reform across California. Despite three days of negotiations between Twin Rivers USD and its union, no agreement was reached. The California Teachers Association's “We Can't Wait” campaign aims to address the struggles of teachers facing high living costs and inadequate classroom conditions.

Cuts loom as school board meets

The Paso Robles USD School Board has approved significant budget cuts to address a $3.9m deficit, impacting teaching and counseling positions. During a recent meeting, the board voted 4-1 to reduce funding for three counseling roles and eliminate 5.5 full-time equivalent secondary teachers, among other positions.

GOVERNANCE

Parents demand Carvalho's reinstatement

Nuestra Voz/Our Voice, a bilingual parent advocacy group, is urging for the reinstatement of Alberto Carvalho as Los Angeles USD superintendent. The group highlighted Carvalho's commitment to Latino, immigrant, and undocumented families, stating: “The positive impact this communication and support has provided for undocumented and mixed-status families cannot be overstated.” Carvalho was placed on administrative leave following an FBI raid on his home and the district’s office. Acting Superintendent Andres Chait has assured that support for immigrant communities will remain unchanged, saying: “Nothing has changed. Nothing will change. We stand with you.”

FINANCE

Santa Rosa Schools turn financial tide

Santa Rosa City Schools officials have announced the certification of the district's budget as “positive,” indicating fiscal stability for the current and upcoming years. This marks a remarkable shift for a district previously deemed to have the worst cash crisis in California. Kathryn Howell, president of the Santa Rosa Teachers Association, expressed skepticism, stating: “I think so much of what they have done to get from negative $14m to positive $2m is creative accounting.” The district's recovery plan, which includes over 100 staff layoffs and program cuts, aims to save $19.9m in one-time costs and $16m in ongoing expenses.

SEL

Educators back SEL instruction

A new EdWeek Research Center survey of 499 educators finds strong support for teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) skills in schools, with more than three-quarters saying students should learn abilities such as self-management, cooperation, problem-solving, and effective communication during their K-12 education. Only 2% of respondents said no SEL skills should be taught in schools, although “leadership” was the least prioritized skill, selected by about half of educators. While many teachers and school leaders view these competencies as essential for academic success and student wellbeing, respondents also highlighted barriers including limited training, a lack of resources, and inconsistent support from parents and communities.

INTERNATIONAL

Ford government launches C$750 classroom supply fund for Ontario elementary teachers

The Ontario government has announced that elementary school homeroom teachers will receive C$750 ($552) per year for classroom supplies starting in the 2026–27 school year, under a new “Classroom Supplies Fund” to be included in the province’s upcoming budget. Teachers will be able to access the funds through a provincial online ordering system, allowing them to purchase commonly used classroom materials, such as notebooks, writing supplies, calculators, arts and crafts materials, tissues, and classroom decorations, which will be delivered directly to schools. Premier Doug Ford said the initiative is designed to end the practice of teachers paying for basic supplies out of their own pockets. Education Minister Paul Calandra said teachers and school boards will be consulted on which materials should be available through the system.
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