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Educators nationwide report rising anxiety, reduced attendance, and learning disruptions among immigrant students due to intensified immigration enforcement. According to an EdWeek Research Center survey, 50% of educators working with immigrant families observed student fear this school year, and 75% said it interferes with learning. “Fear or anxiety is interfering with student learning ‘some’ or ‘a lot,’” particularly in large districts. While some districts share immigrant rights information or offer counseling, 42% took no action. Rural areas are less likely to have formal protocols for handling immigration officer requests, with only 30% reporting clear, written guidelines. Meanwhile, an analysis by Chalkbeat found that attendance rates dropped by 1.25 percentage points after news of immigration sweeps became public. 

 

Chalkbeat

Education Week News

In response to rising discrimination, California has established a new Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Education, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. This office will include a staff of at least six, including an antisemitism coordinator, to educate school districts and investigate discrimination complaints. “I think it's a good idea and the state of California will pull it off,” said Gary Orfield, co-director of the Civil Rights Project at UCLA. The initiative aims to eliminate bias in classrooms and ensure protection for all students. However, it faced opposition from the California Teachers Association, which expressed concerns about potential restrictions on teachers' free speech. The office will oversee antidiscrimination cases and provide resources to schools, with the authority to recommend funding cuts for non-compliance.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

According to a new analysis from the Reason Foundation, school districts across the U.S. have significantly increased spending since 2020, despite a decline in student enrollment and academic performance. The report reveals that public schools are nearing $1trn in annual spending, with per-student spending rising from $14,969 to $20,322 between 2002 and 2023. California, spending $25,941 per student, has seen a 31.5% increase since 2020, even as it lost over 318,000 students. The report highlights that teacher pension costs and a focus on equity over academic rigor are contributing to the challenges facing public schools. Aaron Smith, director of education reform at the Reason Foundation, emphasized the need for policymakers to address structural issues in K–12 finance to improve academic outcomes.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Moore County News Press

Fresno USD is restructuring its academic support department for Black and marginalized students due to federal funding threats and a discrimination lawsuit. The African American Academic Acceleration department, known as A4, has been renamed the Advancing Academic Acceleration & Achievement department to avoid losing $250m in federal funds. The changes aim to broaden support for all marginalized groups while addressing concerns about equity. Community feedback from a recent forum indicated a desire to maintain the core mission of supporting Black students. Eric Payne, executive director of the Central Valley Urban Institute, expressed concerns about the implications of the name change on equity focus. The restructuring aligns with district literacy goals and aims to enhance academic support for students.

 

EdSource

Following an investigation by two teenagers, the San Dieguito UHSD is set to implement new regulations for its high school foundations. These foundations, which operate independently and generate millions in donations, have lacked oversight from the district. A report from Canyon Crest Academy students revealed that 25% of funds for student clubs were misappropriated and that the executive director's salary was not reported on tax filings. This prompted a formal audit that uncovered various inaccuracies in financial records. The district is drafting a memorandum of understanding to enhance transparency and accountability, with new guidelines expected to be finalized before the 2026-27 academic year.

 

EdSource

The dual enrollment program at Santiago Charter Middle School has successfully allowed 64 students to earn college credits through Santiago Canyon College during the 2024-25 school year. Principal Ashley Pedroza noted that the first cohort achieved "incredible success," collectively earning nearly 300 college credits. The program aims to bridge the gap between middle school and college, fostering confidence and ambition among students. The second cohort, consisting of 50 students, was announced on November 10, 2025, and is expected to earn close to 800 college credits by June 2026.

 

The Orange Country Register

The Santa Monica-Malibu USD has officially named the neighborhood school in Ocean Park as Ocean Park School House, following approval at the Board of Education meeting on October 7. This new name replaces the former John Muir Elementary/Santa Monica Alternative School House (SMASH), which closed in June 2022. The remodeled campus, funded by Measures SMS and QS, will host Olympic High School and the Off Campus Learning Center starting this winter.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

More than ten years after its establishment, Costa Mesa High School's performing arts complex has been named the Gilboe and Lindfors Performing Arts Center, honoring retired music instructors Sandy Gilboe and Jon Lindfors.

 

Los Angeles Times

Foster City is advancing plans to reduce speed limits around its schools, but some officials express concerns about enforcement. The city has conducted traffic surveys to identify streets eligible for a 15 mph limit, which must meet specific criteria under state law. Councilmember Patrick Sullivan, who opposed the ordinance, echoed these concerns, noting the police force is short-staffed.

 

San Mateo Daily Journal

New Zealand’s education system is embedding mandatory financial literacy into the national curriculum from 2026, covering Years 0–10 through the Te Mātaiaho framework. The programme integrates financial education into the Social Sciences strand, starting with basic budgeting and needs vs wants, and progressing to insurance, taxation, and investment by Year 10. It emphasizes practical application over rote learning, preparing students for real-world financial decisions. Digital finance will feature prominently, with lessons on cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and digital wallets introduced through hands-on activities and live market data.

 

techAU

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