Become more informed in minutes....

President-elect Donald Trump’s second term could bring radical changes to U.S. education, emphasizing school choice, cuts to K-12 spending, and reduced federal oversight. Aligned with conservative parent groups like Moms for Liberty, Trump has promised to curtail funding for schools that teach “woke” curricula, including critical race theory, and has endorsed the idea of parents electing school principals directly. Key to this agenda will be his choice of education secretary, with candidates like Louisiana’s Cade Brumley, Oklahoma’s Ryan Walters, and Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice, reportedly in consideration. Trump’s bold plans, however, face an uphill battle in Congress, which previously opposed his attempts to slash the Department of Education’s budget and merge it with other agencies. While he speaks about abolishing the department or shrinking it to a minimal staff focused solely on “reading, writing, and arithmetic,” Education Week contends that realizing these goals will depend largely on a cooperative Congress and his ability to galvanize public support for sweeping education reforms.

 

Education Week News

Congress is considering a bill to repeal two provisions—Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—that reduce Social Security benefits for certain public-sector workers with separate government pensions. Advocates claim these rules unfairly penalize teachers and other state or local employees not covered by Social Security, particularly those unaware of potential benefit reductions. However, critics argue repeal would cost $196bn over the next decade, largely benefiting retirees who already qualify for substantial pensions. Instead, experts propose making Social Security mandatory for all public-sector workers, simplifying coverage, and ensuring fair benefits distribution, especially for lower-income public workers. Such a shift would eliminate split-coverage complexities and strengthen retirement security for vulnerable groups. Unions, however, remain divided, supporting the repeal while opposing mandatory Social Security expansion. The debate highlights tensions between cost, fairness, and the goal of ensuring a stable retirement for all public employees. 

 

The 74 (Online)

Unlocking early literacy: The science of reading explained

In the world of early literacy education, a critical conversation is unfolding: how can we effectively align our practices with the science of reading? This article demystifies the science of reading, clarifying what it is—and what it isn’t—while examining its relationship with balanced literacy. With actionable insights and practical resources, California educators can transform their classrooms and empower all students to become confident, thoughtful readers. Don’t miss this guide to elevating early literacy in your teaching!

Access The Guide

 

California's Proposition 2, a proposed $10bn bond for facility repairs and upgrades at K-12 schools and community colleges, led in early voting returns Tuesday night. The bond, which allocates $8.5bn to public schools and $1.5bn to community colleges, is designed to address pressing infrastructure issues, including hazardous mold, leaky roofs, and outdated science labs. Supported by both major political parties and over 150 groups, the measure promises a sliding scale matching system to assist low-wealth districts, with some able to receive up to 100% in state matching funds. With annual repayments of about $500m for 35 years, the bond represents a collaborative effort to modernize and secure educational facilities across California. 

 

Los Angeles Times

In the early returns for the Los Angeles Board of Education races, incumbent Scott Schmerelson leads challenger Dan Chang in District 3, while Karla Griego is ahead of Graciela Ortiz in District 5. Sherlett Hendy Newbill has a strong lead in District 1 against Kahllid Al-Alim. The board, which oversees a $18.4bn budget and 420,000 students, is experiencing high-stakes campaigns with outside spending nearing $15m. Schmerelson, backed by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), has received significant support against Chang, who has ties to charter schools. In District 5, Griego is supported by UTLA, while Ortiz has backing from the Service Employees International Union. Hendy Newbill, a moderate candidate, is positioned to succeed George McKenna. The election outcomes could influence the district's stance on charter schools and school police. The measure would provide $9bn in school construction bonds for Los Angeles USD. The results are still unfolding.

 

Los Angeles Times

In Sonoma County, early returns indicate that seven out of 10 school bond measures are likely to pass, with two measures narrowly failing to meet the 55% threshold. Notably, Measure M in the Roseland School District is passing with 62% approval, seeking $12m for facility upgrades. Measure Z in the Petaluma Elementary School District is also succeeding, with 65% support for $70m in improvements. However, Windsor Unified's Measure V is failing significantly, with only 48% approval for $122.5m in renovations.

 

Press Democrat

Fresno USD's $500m Measure H appears to be on track for approval, with early returns showing 59.53% support. In contrast, Clovis USD's $400m Measure A is just below the required 55% threshold, garnering 54.72% of votes. Measure H aims to address repairs in the district's most deteriorated schools and enhance safety features, with a proposed tax increase from $213.86 to $238.86 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Opponents, including board president Susan Wittrup, criticized the bond's tax implications and funding distribution. Meanwhile, Clovis' Measure A focuses on modernizing facilities without raising current tax rates. Kelly Avants, the district's spokesperson, emphasized the challenges posed by rising construction costs, stating: “We are really caught in a situation... that the costs have escalated beyond anything that we have seen in modern history.” Central USD's Measure X also seeks to modernize aging schools, with a current tax rate of $222.03 potentially decreasing to $215.57 if approved.

 

The Fresno Bee

Early results show that Measure B, a $230m bond proposed by Napa Valley USD for school repairs, is falling short of the required 55% approval, with only 52% in favor as 25.4% of votes are counted. Tom Orlando, president of the Napa County Taxpayers' Association, remarked: “We didn't raise any money to oppose Measure B. It was a grassroots effort.” Despite the challenges, Cindy Watter, president of the Napa Valley USD Board, remains hopeful, stating: “We are optimistic that the bond may still pass.” If approved, the funds will address critical repairs in aging facilities, ensuring safe learning environments for students. The bond's passage would also make the district eligible for up to 65% in matching state funds.

 

Press Democrat

San Luis Obispo County has held elections for fourteen school board seats, with significant races in Paso Robles Joint USD, where eight candidates competed for four positions. As of 8 p.m., 41.2% of registered voters had their ballots counted, with results indicating a competitive landscape. In Atascadero USD, Veronica Decoster, Corinne Kuhnle, and Joey Arnold were closely matched, each within one percentage point of each other. Meanwhile, incumbents in Lucia Mar USD were leading their respective races, with Don Stewart at 55% against Paul Bischoff. In San Luis Coastal USD, Erica Flores Baltodano was ahead with 72.6% of the vote against incumbent Eve Hinton. Additionally, voters considered several school bond measures, with Lucia Mar's $143.2m bond appearing to fail at 53.1%, while Templeton's $52.3m bond was on track to pass with 55.3%.

 

San Luis Obispo Tribune

Early results from Stanislaus County indicate that incumbent Modesto City Schools board member John Ervin III is leading the election with 3,066 votes, or 46%. His opponents, Emma Sperling and Roman Messick, have 2,098 votes (31.44%) and 1,508 votes (22.6%), respectively. With 33% of vote-by-mail ballots counted, Ervin, who has served on the board since 2018 and is a mentor for Project UPLIFT, has been endorsed by the Modesto Teachers Association. Sperling, a mother of two, aims to enhance communication between families and schools while expanding college credit opportunities. Messick, with a decade of experience in insurance claims management, focuses on improving parent communication and implementing dual technical training programs. Both Ervin and Sperling recognize the need for facility upgrades in Modesto City Schools, with Ervin stating that "facility upgrades are crucial for creating productive learning environments."

 

The Modesto Bee

In Orange County, nine school districts and a community college district are seeking voter approval for up to $2.184bn in bond measures to fund new construction and technology upgrades. Each measure requires a 55% majority to pass. Notably, Rancho Santiago Community College District's Measure G is facing a narrow defeat, while other measures, such as Brea Olinda USD's Measure H, are showing early signs of success. If approved, Measure H would allow the district to issue $160 m in bonds for facility improvements. Santa Ana USD's Measure I aims to replace temporary classrooms with permanent ones, potentially issuing $355m in bonds. As one district noted, the funds will be used to "upgrade classrooms, campus facilities and technology." Voter decisions will significantly impact the future of educational infrastructure in the region.

 

The Orange Country Register

The Murrieta Valley USD board has voted 3-2 to revoke its contentious parental notification policy regarding transgender students. Initially adopted in August 2023, the policy mandated that schools inform parents within three days if their child identified as transgender or sought gender-affirming care. Board President Paul Diffley and members Linda Lunn and Nancy Young supported the repeal, while trustees Nick Pardue and Julie Vandegrift opposed it. During the discussion, Pardue emphasized: “I believe these parents' rights will hold up in court,” referencing a lawsuit against the state regarding similar policies. The board had previously revisited the policy multiple times, but ultimately decided against enforcing it after public feedback highlighted a divide among parents and teachers. Rachael Heida, a teacher and parent, stated, “I have never felt once that I didn't have rights as a parent.”

 

Press Enterprise

Mountain View Whisman School District Superintendent Ayindé Rudolph has resigned after a brief leave of absence, citing health concerns and the job's negative impact on his well-being. His resignation follows community criticism regarding costly contracts for public relations and leadership coaching. The Santa Clara County Office of Education has requested an audit from the state’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team. In a LinkedIn post, Rudolph stated: "I must prioritize my health." The school board will review a resignation agreement that includes a $98,000 payout and additional retirement contributions. Kevin Skelly is currently the interim superintendent.

 

EdSource

After years of delays, attorneys for William S. Hart UHSD and the families of two Saugus High students killed in a 2019 shooting have agreed on a witness list for a trial set to begin in January. The civil lawsuit, filed by the families of Gracie Muehlberger and Dominic Blackwell, is being heard in a Beverly Hills courthouse. The trial will examine whether the school district bears liability for the deaths, with over 96 hours of testimony planned. Judge David Cowan emphasized the need for efficiency, leading to a pared-down witness list of 41 names, including the three surviving victims and the parents of the deceased. The plaintiffs will also call on school-security experts and Sheriff's Department officials to discuss safety protocols. A key issue is whether warning signs from the shooter, Nathaniel Berhow, were overlooked. The shooter's mother, Mami Matsuura-Berhow, is also listed as a potentially liable party.

 

Signalscv.com