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California
13th May 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Newsom’s budget: Schools demand their share!

As California Governor Gavin Newsom prepares to unveil the 2026-27 state budget revision, three key numbers are pivotal for TK-12 funding. Newsom initially withheld $5.6bn from education, citing revenue volatility, but school leaders argue this violates Proposition 98, which mandates funding for schools. "Diverting $5.6bn from our students isn’t some maneuver or adjustment, it’s a violation of our state constitution," said Cecily Myart-Cruz, President of United Teachers Los Angeles. Additionally, a 2.87% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is projected, which may not fully cover rising expenses. A potential $10bn surplus for education could significantly impact funding, with legislative leaders promising to allocate the withheld funds. The May revision will clarify how these funds will be used, with discussions on ongoing COLA increases and special education funding also on the table.

CAREER & 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

 

TEACHING

Schools and colleges build new career pipelines to address workforce shortages

Colleges and K-12 school districts across the U.S. are developing new workforce-focused education models designed to connect students with high-demand careers before they graduate high school. Educators, employers, and state leaders are increasingly collaborating on programs that combine dual-credit courses, paid internships, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized certifications, allowing students to gain workforce experience while earning college credit. Governors in several states are supporting the effort through legislation and funding initiatives aimed at strengthening connections between K-12 education, higher education, and regional labor markets. In Virginia, Gov. Abigail Spanberger recently signed bipartisan workforce development bills that expand career education opportunities for high school students, including apprenticeships in information technology. 

STATE NEWS

California's finance course at risk

California's personal finance education is under threat from Senate Bill 1147, authored by Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh. This bill seeks to undermine Assembly Bill 2927, which mandates a semester-long personal finance course for all high school students. Kevin McCarty, the mayor of Sacramento, emphasized the importance of this education, remarking: "California graduates more than 450,000 high school students every year." The current law has garnered significant support, with 78% of voters in favor and nearly 900,000 signatures collected for its ballot. If SB 1147 passes, it could lead to inconsistent quality in financial education and increased costs for districts, ultimately affecting students' financial futures. The first class benefiting from this law will graduate in 2031, making it crucial to maintain the integrity of personal finance education in California.

TECHNOLOGY

Anxiety rises with i-Ready use

Andrea Gillanders’ son has faced anxiety related to testing for three years, attributed to the Fresno USD's use of i-Ready, a digital learning platform. While i-Ready aims to help teachers identify learning gaps, some parents and educators express concerns about its impact on student anxiety and its academic effectiveness. Gillanders, an elementary art teacher, said: "That also makes some students feel left out or not good about themselves." Critics argue that the program may not align well with the curriculum and can be stressful for younger students. Despite some studies indicating that i-Ready users perform better on standardized tests, educators like USC professor Morgan Polikoff emphasize the importance of addressing learning gaps early. Los Angeles USD has implemented i-Ready, but some teachers question its necessity, suggesting that existing tools already provide sufficient insights into student progress.

DISTRICTS

Pasadena schools dodge merger bullet

The Pasadena USD's Superintendent’s School Consolidation Advisory Committee has recommended against merging schools, marking a significant victory for parents and community members. "They stood up and protected our community," said Thurgood Marshall Secondary School parent TJ Teems. The committee's decision follows months of public outcry against the proposed consolidation, which aimed to address financial issues amid declining enrollment and a multimillion-dollar deficit. Despite the committee's recommendation, the final decision rests with the Board of Education, which will review the feedback and hold public hearings before a vote on June 25. The community remains committed to preserving the unique offerings of their schools, with parents and students actively protesting against the merger proposals.

Napa Valley schools on the rise

Superintendent Rosanna Mucetti delivered an optimistic annual State of the District address for the Napa Valley USD, highlighting significant improvements in student proficiency and campus upgrades. Speaking to a diverse audience at Napa High School, Mucetti emphasized the district's progress under the Vision 2040 strategic plan, stating it has "moved decisively from aspiration to action." The governance team has also been recognized as the best in California, showcasing the district's commitment to excellence in education.

LEGAL

LAUSD seeks $22m from contractor

Los Angeles USD is pursuing $22m from contractor Innive, alleging that former district manager Hong “Grace” Peng facilitated fraudulent IT contracts in exchange for kickbacks. The lawsuit claims Peng received over $3m in illegal payments while steering contracts to Innive, which received approximately $39m in total from LAUSD. "I broke all law for you already lol," Peng allegedly texted to contractor CEO Gautham Sampath, who, along with Peng, faces criminal charges. The civil suit seeks restitution for the $22m, asserting that the district can recover amounts paid under illegal contracts without restoring benefits. The investigation began after a whistleblower reported Peng's actions, leading to her resignation in October 2022.

WORKFORCE

Fresno Unified greenlights layoffs

Fresno Unified trustees have approved layoffs and "bumps" for the 2026-27 school year, impacting both certificated and classified roles. The board's resolutions aim to eliminate 78 certificated positions, including 22 school counselors and 19 preschool teachers, due to a projected budget deficit of $88m, which has increased by 49% since February. David Chavez, chief of human resources, said: "The layoff and bumping process begins now," allowing affected employees to transition to similar roles or face displacement. The district initially announced plans to lay off 274 employees, with 84 certificated and 190 classified positions affected.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Manteca High's new building rises

The new $56m, two-story building at Manteca High, featuring 32 classrooms and a media center, is currently under construction. A bond was approved in 1921 for permanent buildings, culminating in a campus that, although modest, included a solid oak auditorium and a gym over the stage. The $200,000 cost in 1921 starkly contrasts with the current construction expenses.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Foreign student enrollment drops at U.S. universities

The number of new foreign undergraduate students at U.S. colleges fell by an average of 20% this spring, reflecting the impact of the Trump administration's immigration policies on higher education, according to a NAFSA report. Based on a survey of 149 schools, 62% reported decreased foreign enrollment in both undergraduate and graduate programs. International students, who contribute significant tuition revenue, are crucial to universities, especially given domestic enrollment declines. The trend poses potential budget shortfalls if fall enrollment also drops significantly. The report cites "restrictive government policies" as a primary cause of the decline, with 84% of schools acknowledging these impacts. Conversely, European and Asian institutions have reported increases in international enrollment this spring.

Soka University eyes Middlebury campus

Soka University of America is in exclusive negotiations with Middlebury College for the potential acquisition of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) and some graduate programs. Both institutions have signed letters of intent and are entering a due diligence phase, which may last up to 60 days. Soka President Ed Feasel said: “If Soka was going to build a graduate program in these spaces, this is what we would want to create.” The acquisition aims to maintain core MIIS programs and provide Soka with a graduate school without starting from scratch. Feasel expressed optimism about reversing declining enrollment trends, stating, “We are optimistic these are important programs and there is demand out there for them.” A town hall meeting is scheduled for May 14 to address community concerns regarding the acquisition.

INTERNATIONAL

Japan plans AI-era overhaul of high school language education

Japan’s education ministry is proposing a major overhaul of high school Japanese language education to help students develop communication skills, emotional awareness, and other qualities seen as uniquely human in the age of artificial intelligence and social media. The proposed revisions, presented Monday to a panel of experts, would introduce new elective subjects for second-year high school students and above. These include courses focused on modern and classical literature to strengthen emotional sensitivity and cultural understanding, particularly among science-focused students who are considered to have less exposure to literature. Another proposed subject would emphasize the analysis of argumentative and critical essays, alongside debate and discussion techniques designed to improve communication and reasoning skills. 

 
NHK
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