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California has established a new Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Education to enhance K-12 protections, including appointing an antisemitism coordinator. This initiative, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, aims to address rising antisemitic incidents and other forms of discrimination in schools. The office will investigate complaints and provide resources to schools, with the potential to cut funding for noncompliant districts.

 

Los Angeles Times

California faces a significant shortage of multilingual teachers, despite nearly 40% of its students being multilingual learners. The state's teacher workforce remains predominantly monolingual, failing to reflect the diversity of its student population. Research indicates that students perform better when taught by educators who share their cultural backgrounds, as they feel more connected and safe. John Pascarella, a professor at the University of Southern California, emphasized the need for systemic changes, stating: "Credentialing costs, unpaid residencies and limited multilingual placements routinely exclude educators our schools need most." To address this issue, experts recommend funding paid multilingual teacher residencies, expanding the Golden State Teacher Grant, and eliminating unnecessary credentialing fees. Without these changes, California's commitment to equity and opportunity for all students remains at risk.

 

The Modesto Bee

During a congressional hearing in Los Angeles, witnesses shared harrowing experiences of the Trump Administration's immigration raids, which have been described as both "stupid and cruel." One man, detained by ICE after dropping his children at school, recounted his struggles with health care while in custody. Another woman, an American citizen, was injured during her arrest and has since remained fearful of leaving her home. Mayor Karen Bass emphasized that the aggressive tactics were designed to "terrorize" communities. The hearing highlighted the detrimental impact on local life, with decreased school attendance and community participation.

 

Santa Monica Daily Press

A new type of lens, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aims to slow the progression of nearsightedness, or myopia, in children aged 6 to 12. The Essilor Stellest lenses, which utilize concentric rings to refocus light, have shown a 70% reduction in myopia progression over two years. Dr. Michael Repka from Johns Hopkins noted, “It was typically and simply: ‘Your child needs to wear glasses and they'll live with it.’” The lenses are expected to cost around $450, with major vision insurance providers likely covering them. Unlike contact lenses, which are also FDA-approved for myopia, these glasses offer a more comfortable alternative for younger children. While the lenses have shown promising results, further research in the U.S. is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

 

U.S. News

Gustine USD has received $366,000 in federal funding to create a centralized wellness center, part of a bipartisan agriculture spending package led by Rep. Adam Gray (D-Merced). This initiative aims to consolidate mental health services at Gustine High School and Gustine Middle School into a single, accessible location. Superintendent Bryan Ballenger said, “The wellness center will allow us to consolidate these efforts, improving accessibility, continuity of care and the overall experience for both students and staff.” The center will employ mental health professionals and counselors, supporting the district's mission to educate the whole child. Rep. Gray emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, “Valley families deserve leaders who work for them.” The wellness center is expected to open by fall 2027, pending the federal budget process.

 

Westsideconnect.com

Novato USD has approved a $4.5m budget cut plan to stabilize its general fund for the 2026-27 school year. Initially estimated at $3m, the cuts will affect staffing, supplies, and services. Joshua Braff, the district's chief financial officer, stated that the Marin County Office of Education mandated these reductions to maintain a positive budget certification. The district aims for a 16.67% ending fund balance by 2029-30, which is essential for covering unforeseen expenses. Superintendent Tracy Smith mentioned that the district is exploring an additional parcel tax to support programs like libraries and arts. the district also faces potential enrollment declines, which could further impact funding.

 

Press Democrat

Lincoln Elementary, a small and community-oriented school in Vallejo, California, is facing potential closure as part of the Vallejo City USD's restructuring plan. Despite the looming threat of closure, the school has made significant strides in improving its academic environment and fostering a strong sense of community. Principal Sue Kelly noted that the school is a "hidden gem" and expressed pride in the resources and support being provided to students and families. The final decision regarding the school's future will be made at the board meeting on December 17.

 

The Sacramento Bee

California has enacted Senate Bill 19, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, to address the issue of threats against schools and other public spaces. The bill closes a legal loophole that previously made it difficult to prosecute threats made against institutions rather than individuals. Assemblymember Darshana Patel, who co-authored the bill, highlighted the fear experienced by the community after Lee Lor sent numerous threatening emails, including one stating he would "murder a bunch of children." The new law allows for felony charges even if the threat does not target a specific person, aiming to enhance safety for families and educators. District Attorney Summer Stephan emphasized that the law provides necessary tools to prevent future mass casualty events, stating: "Making criminal threats is a felony crime even if there was no intent to carry out the threat." The legislation is seen as a vital step in protecting schools and communities from violence.

 

The Sacramento Bee

The Trump administration's immigration policies are causing significant declines in student enrollment across U.S. schools, particularly affecting newcomer students. Los Angeles USD has seen a drop of over 7,000 students this year, with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stating, “These declines reflect a climate of fear and instability created by ongoing immigration crackdowns.” The decline in enrollment is not only a reflection of the fear within immigrant communities but also leads to financial shortfalls for schools. In Miami-Dade County, for instance, the district lost about $70m due to a drop in newcomer students, which has decreased from over 20,000 to just 2,550 this year.

 

Los Angeles Times

The trend of California high school graduates enrolling in out-of-state colleges has surged, nearly doubling from 8.5% in 2002 to 14.6% in 2022, according to the Public Policy Institute of California report. Nearly 40,000 graduates left California for college in 2022, with Arizona, Oregon, and New York being the top destinations. Lynda McGee, a retired college counselor, views this trend positively, encouraging students to seek broader opportunities. Erica Rosales, executive director of College Match, noted that private colleges can sometimes be more affordable for low-income students than California public universities.

 

Los Angeles Times

In the fall 2025 semester, new international student enrollment at U.S. institutions decreased by 17%, primarily due to visa restrictions and government policies, according to a report from the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education (IIE). This decline is projected to cost the economy $1.1bn, as international students contributed nearly $55bn to the U.S. economy during the 2024-25 academic year. Bjorn Markeson, an economist at Implan, stated: "International students do far more than attend classes—they sustain local economies." The U.S. has historically been the leading host for international students, but the enrollment pipeline is under pressure, with fewer students choosing to study in the U.S. due to restrictive visa policies and changing attitudes abroad. Fanta Aw, NAFSA's executive director and chief executive, remarked on the precarious position of global talent in the U.S., emphasizing the ripple effects of these policy changes on campuses and communities.

 

CNBC

Following a U.K. Supreme Court ruling which found that religious education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools have failed to comply with human rights law, Minister for Education Paul Givan has issued guidance to school leaders insisting that "both Religious Education and collective worship continue to be a legal requirement," and that the judgement has not struck down existing legislation. The court recently upheld a 2022 ruling by the High Court in Belfast that religious education and Christian worship were not conveyed in an “objective, critical and pluralistic manner” and therefore breached the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). A child, known as JR87, and her father sought a judicial review after she took part in non-denominational Christian religious education and collective worship as part of the curriculum at a controlled primary school, a common form of state-funded school, in Belfast. Her parents “did not wish her to be taught that Christianity was an absolute truth” and in 2019 voiced concerns that their daughter’s education “did not appear to conform with their own religious and philosophical convictions." Givan has said he will provide further "legally sound" and comprehensive guidance to schools in the coming weeks, and that his department has "requested further legal advice to understand the full implications of the judgment." 

 

BBC News

The Irish Times