Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
California
3rd April 2026
Together with

FlexPoint Brand Logo

THE HOT STORY

Judge keeps drilling buffer law

A California federal judge rejected the Trump administration’s bid to pause a 2022 state law restricting oil and gas drilling near schools, hospitals, and homes. U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins ruled the measure was a “reasonable environmental regulation” and found the administration had not shown likely “irreparable harm” if it remained in effect. Supporters said the decision preserves health protections for communities near wells, including millions of low-income Californians living close to active sites, while the broader fight over drilling continues as the administration advances oil projects elsewhere in California, including along the Santa Barbara coast.

INCREASE ENROLLMENT

Guide on Marketing Your School or District

This guide provides you with actionable strategies to help communicate your school’s or district’s strengths, attract more families, and ensure parents find the best education option for their children.

Access Free Guide

 

STATE NEWS

Pension funds face scrutiny over ICE ties

A new analysis says California’s two largest pension funds have invested more than $2.7bn in companies with ICE or Department of Homeland Security contracts, raising questions about whether public retirement money aligns with state values. The biggest holdings include Palantir, General Dynamics, L3Harris, AT&T, and CACI, with Palantir alone drawing the largest share. Richard Brooks of Stand.earth said: “There should be an alignment between where money is being invested and the types of values that people of the state embrace.” Fund officials defended their focus on long-term returns, while critics and lawmakers pushed for more transparency and accountability.

NATIONAL NEWS

Utah mandates Bible study in schools

Utah has enacted a law requiring students in grades 3-12 to study specific Bible passages and stories that influenced American political thought, starting in the 2028-29 school year. Governor Spencer Cox stated: “It’s about understanding history and the things that influence people,” emphasizing the educational intent behind the law. This move aligns Utah with other states that have integrated Christian teachings into K-12 education, although it is distinct in being codified into law. Critics, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, argue that this approach risks blurring the line between education and religious endorsement. Mark Chancey, a professor at Southern Methodist University, noted that the law reflects a growing trend influenced by Christian nationalism within the Republican Party. The operationalization of this mandate remains to be seen, as state board members have yet to determine which specific Bible passages will be included in the curriculum.

POLICY

Concern over screens in schools

Abby McCloskey discusses the growing concern over screen time in schools, highlighting that "this generation of kids doesn't get a chance to redo K-12 once we wise up." McCloskey notes that many schools have adopted technology without proper policies, leading to increased screen use among students. A 2025 RAND report revealed that one in three teachers are required to use mostly digital materials, which has not correlated with improved student achievement. States are beginning to take action, with 16 introducing legislation to limit screen time, particularly for younger students. However, McCloskey emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue as technology continues to evolve, warning that the current approach of adopting technology first and evaluating later is ineffective.

TECHNOLOGY

Google launches AI training for educators

Google, in partnership with ISTE+ASCD, is launching a free AI educator training series aimed at K–12 and higher education, reflecting growing demand for practical AI skills, classroom-ready tools, and structured digital training. The program, available from May, offers short, flexible modules focused on foundational AI knowledge, teaching applications, and administrative use, with sessions tailored to fit educators’ workflows and leading to micro-credentials. It emphasizes hands-on use of tools such as Gemini and NotebookLM, supporting tasks like lesson planning, student engagement, and reducing administrative workloads. The initiative highlights a broader shift in education toward applied AI use, personalized learning, and workforce readiness, as well as ongoing gaps in educator confidence around responsible AI adoption.

Napa Valley schools embrace AI

Napa Valley USD has approved a new policy regarding the use of AI in educational settings, emphasizing ethics, equity, and academic honesty. The school board voted 5-1 in favor of the policy, with Trustee Cindy Watter expressing concerns that it might encourage students to "cut corners." Trustee John Henry Martin praised the initiative, stating: "This is simply the beginning of a framework of how we're going to use this technology in the classroom." The policy outlines ten guiding principles, including ethical use, equitable access, and a focus on academic integrity. It aims to leverage AI to enhance learning while ensuring that it does not replace original student work or lead to academic dishonesty. The district plans to regularly evaluate and update these guidelines to adapt to evolving technologies.

WORKFORCE

Teachers vote for potential strike

Educators in the Little Lake City School District are nearing a potential strike, with 94% of union members voting in favor due to concerns over rising health care costs, class sizes, and student support services. LLEA President Maria Pilios said: “We will not accept a rollback to inadequate healthcare, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate support for students with disabilities.” A fact-finding hearing was held to facilitate discussions between the Little Lake Education Association and district officials. Superintendent Jonathan Vasquez acknowledged the union's concerns, stating: “Our teachers and staff are at the heart of our district,” while emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility. The district faces financial pressures, including declining enrollment and rising operational costs, particularly for health care.

Teachers priced out

As housing costs rise in the Bay Area, many teachers are being priced out of their communities. In response, school districts are exploring innovative solutions, such as purchasing existing properties instead of building new ones. The nonprofit Rooted has successfully acquired a 33-unit apartment building in Oakland in just eight months, offering affordable housing to educators at half the market rate. The initiative aims to provide stable housing for teachers, which is crucial for retention, as affordability is a significant factor in teacher turnover.

DISTRICTS

Students shine at speech tournament

The Hollister School District's newly formed Migrant Speech & Debate Team made a remarkable debut at the Regional Migrant Speech and Debate Tournament on March 7, with three students advancing to the state competition in May. Despite being new to the experience, the team demonstrated impressive skills, tackling the theme of Artificial Intelligence in their speeches.

Chang shines as Edison Scholar

Brandon Chang, a senior at West Ranch High School, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Edison Scholar title by Southern California Edison. He was selected from a competitive group of 30 students across Southern and Central California, receiving a $50,000 scholarship to pursue applied mathematics. The Edison Scholar program aims to support students in STEM fields and foster the next generation of innovators.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Hesperia High opens new arts center

Hesperia High School has inaugurated a new 33,000-square-foot performing arts and community center, marking the first time in 42 years that students have an on-campus theater for plays and concerts. The center, which opened in mid-March, will also function as a public medical clinic, providing physical and mental health services.

FINANCE

Council tackles air pollution funding

The Vallejo City Council is working to secure $5m in grant funding from the Bay Area Air District to combat air pollution and enhance public health. This funding, derived from penalties against local refineries, is part of a three-year Community Benefits Grant application due by May 29. Vice Mayor J.R. Matulac led the discussion, which included proposals for allocating the funds: $1m for Safe Routes 2 Schools, $1.75m for environmental justice programs, and $750,000 for planning department enhancements.

INTERNATIONAL

UAE school ethics questions

The Daily Telegraph reports that private schools in the United Arab Emirates, run by top British independent schools, are required to provide mandatory morality lessons to all pupils, with Muslim pupils required to receive additional lessons on subjects like dealing with "rebellious" wives. Morality lessons, the paper reports, include state propaganda about how the UAE "empowers women" and "ranks first in terms of peaceful co-existence". Analysis carried out by the paper suggests that top British private schools have "funnelled almost £79m ($105m)" back to the U.K. from overseas campuses tax-free using Gift Aid, much of it originating in the Middle East.

AND FINALLY......

A note that left a mark

In a touching story shared by Luke Hales, a Texas teacher with over 20 years of experience, he recounted an emotional reunion with a former student named Ava. During their meeting, Ava revealed she had tattooed a message from a post-it note Hales wrote her during a tough time, saying: "You OK, kiddo?" This revelation left Hales feeling humbled, as he had no idea of the struggles she faced. The post quickly gained traction online, amassing over 679,000 views and inspiring others to share their own stories of impactful teachers. Hales emphasized that teaching is about building relationships, stating: "You have to earn the students' respect and trust before they'll open up enough to learn." This viral moment serves as a reminder of the profound, often unrecognized influence teachers can have on their students' lives.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe