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Schools across the U.S. are grappling with the impact of aggressive immigration policies, particularly those enacted by the Trump administration. The fear stemming from immigration raids has led to a decline in student attendance, with an estimated 620,000 K-12 students lacking legal status in 2021. Clinical child psychologist Allison Bassett Ratto emphasized the psychological harm faced by immigrant children, stating, “What they see are their classmates, their family members, their neighbors often being apprehended in violent and confusing ways.” Education leaders, including Noel Candelaria from the National Education Association, stress the importance of creating safe environments for all students. Los Angeles USD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who has personal experience as an undocumented immigrant, highlighted the need for schools to act as protective spaces.

 

EdSurge

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint^®, which includes:

• Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  
• Outline of blended learning classroom models
  
• List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  
• Best practices for educator training
  
• Instructional strategies and tips
  
• Key benefits for you, students, and staff

Download the FlexPoint guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.

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California's Assembly Bill 715, aimed at reducing antisemitism in schools, has passed the Senate with a 35-0 vote and is now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom. The bill establishes a statewide Office of Civil Rights, which will include an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator to monitor and report antisemitism in educational settings. While the bill has garnered support from various diversity caucuses, opponents, including the California Teachers Association, argue it may infringe on academic freedom. The bill's authors are committed to refining its language before the next legislative session.

 

EdSource

At a recent meeting, members of the Sonoma Valley USD Board of Trustees expressed their opposition to the proposed closure of Prestwood Elementary School. Community members, including teachers and parents, voiced their concerns, leading to a shift in the board's stance. The board is now reconsidering its plans, which were initially set for the 2025-26 school year. The decision comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of the district and its schools.

 

Press Democrat

School campuses across the U.S., particularly in Southern California, are facing a surge in swatting calls—false reports of emergencies designed to incite fear. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated: “These threats are not just disruptive – they are dangerous,” highlighting the serious implications of these hoaxes. Recent incidents have affected at least a dozen schools, with many targeting historically Black colleges and universities. The calls, often made using spoofed caller IDs, can be traced, and perpetrators may face criminal charges. In one case, a hoax call about a shooting at Blair High School led to a lockdown, though no threat was found.

 

Press-Telegram

In the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, nearly one-third of juniors reported feeling "so sad or hopeless" last year, with 14% considering suicide. To address these concerns, Mountain View High has introduced a peer-to-peer counseling program, allowing students to receive support from trained peers. The program aims to provide a safe space for students who may not feel comfortable seeking help from adults. With 26 peer counselors currently in training, the initiative is set to expand, offering students a vital support network.

 

San Francisco Chronicle

Parents in the Mill Valley School District have expressed anger and disbelief over a draft environmental impact report that proposed two alternatives for a new middle school. The report suggests either renovating the existing school on Sycamore Avenue or building a new one on Lomita Drive, both within a $95m construction budget. Many parents opposed the Lomita Drive option, citing concerns about campus size and traffic. The district plans to decide on a site by December 1, with construction expected to start in June 2026.

 

The Sacramento Bee

Nick Bloise, a trustee of San Juan USD, has been reprimanded for "inappropriate and excessive" personal disclosures during school visits, which made staff uncomfortable. He is barred from visiting school sites for 90 days and must schedule visits with the superintendent in advance.

 

The Sacramento Bee

Many U.S. schools are adopting phone-free policies, with 79% of adults supporting smartphone restrictions in educational settings. Yondr bags, fabric pouches that secure students' phones, are used by around 2m students across the country. Yondr CEO Graham Dugoni stated, “I think it's an investment,” emphasizing the need for tailored solutions for each school. While some districts, like Los Angeles USD, have invested significantly in Yondr, others, such as Sutter Middle School, have opted for simpler methods, like an “off and away” policy. Dayton, Ohio, public schools have successfully implemented a low-cost solution where students hand in their phones at the start of the day, demonstrating that effective phone management doesn't have to be expensive.

 

NBC Miami

Sarah Nagle reflects on her experiences as a homeschooled child in California, highlighting the growing scrutiny surrounding homeschooling today. She notes that while homeschooling was once a personal choice, it is now often viewed through a political lens, with critics labeling it as a "right-wing" option. Nagle emphasizes the academic success she achieved, scoring in the 94th percentile on the SATs, despite facing social challenges. She argues that the California K-12 system is failing many students, with only 31% of fourth graders meeting achievement levels according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress report. Nagle concludes that reducing the discussion of homeschooling to political arguments undermines the real concerns of parents and students alike.

 

Merced Sun Star

The Sacramento Bee

Huntington Beach High School's Business and Design (BaD) program offers students a unique opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences. The program, developed by teacher Nick Schwab, allows students to apply design thinking and entrepreneurship principles to various subjects, including U.S. history and math. Students engage in real-world projects, such as collaborating with Jack's Surfboards to create a clothing line now available for sale. With around 200 students participating, the program emphasizes critical skills like collaboration and creativity, aiming to inspire enthusiasm for learning.

 

Los Angeles Times

According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's sixth annual College Free Speech Rankings, Claremont McKenna College has been awarded a B- grade, making it the top college in the U.S. for free speech. The survey, which included responses from 68,510 students across 257 colleges, revealed a troubling trend: a significant decline in support for free speech among students. The report highlighted that 166 schools received an F grade for their free speech climate, with only Claremont McKenna achieving a grade higher than C. Other notable institutions, including UC Berkeley and Stanford University, also struggled with free speech issues, receiving F and D- grades, respectively. Sean Stevens, chief research adviser for FIRE, emphasized that students are increasingly accepting of violence to silence speakers, indicating a broader cultural concern.

 

TTown Media

A census carried out by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) has found that the number of American children being taught in British private schools has risen by 25% since 2020, reaching 5,117 this year, behind only China and Hong Kong. Henry Faber from consultancy Oppidan Education said he is seeing "unprecedented interest from American families who view a British education not only as academically rigorous but also a launchpad to the Ivy League and beyond." Wellington College head James Dahl notes speculation that "there are families perhaps of a more liberal persuasion who are not sure any more whether the American education system or indeed America is a place where they want their sons and daughters to be in school."

 

The Times of London