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Recent reports indicate a significant decline in the enrollment of new immigrant students in Oakland and across California, raising concerns about the future of newcomer programs. Nicole Knight, executive director of English Language Learner and Multilingual Achievement for Oakland USD, said: "It’s almost come to a screeching halt. In all of my time, I have not seen anything like this.” The drop has been attributed to changes in federal immigration policies that have reduced border crossings since early 2025, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Sam Finn, director of the California Newcomer Network, expressed worries that declining enrollment could jeopardize the progress made in developing curriculum and services for immigrant students. Knight noted that the district may need to consolidate programs, potentially reducing the number of schools offering newcomer services from 17 to six, which could adversely affect the educational experience of remaining students.

 

EdSource

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In a piece for Education Week Thomas R. Guskey, a professor emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky, addresses the challenges school leaders face in securing teacher buy-in for instructional changes. He emphasizes that traditional approaches, such as logical arguments or emotional appeals, often fail because beliefs are deeply rooted in past experiences. To foster meaningful change, he outlines four key strategies: setting realistic expectations for buy-in, providing practical support, creating collaborative opportunities, and facilitating regular feedback on student outcomes. These actions help reshape teachers' experiences, ultimately leading to genuine commitment and lasting reform.

 

Education Week News

Marin County supervisors have approved a plan to act as the “umbrella guarantor” for $74m in bonds aimed at funding public workforce housing. The county allocated $2.5m from its affordable housing trust fund to support the project, which includes 135 apartments for government and school employees.

 

Press Democrat

More than 100 members of the Teachers Association of Long Beach (TALB), along with parents and community members, have rallied outside Long Beach USD offices to oppose potential layoffs as the district faces a budget deficit. The rally attracted around 200 participants who held signs advocating for strong public schools and stability for students. TALB representatives warned that layoffs would negatively impact students and lead to larger class sizes. The district is currently preparing for the 2026-27 school year amid declining enrollment and reduced revenue, with plans to align staffing with projected enrollment.

 

Press-Telegram

According to a study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, students who returned to in-person school during the Covid-19 pandemic experienced significantly lower rates of mental health diagnoses, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. The research analyzed data from 185,735 children aged five to 18 across 24 counties and 224 school districts in California from March 2020 to June 2021. Pelin Ozluk, the study's author, noted: "Because schools reopened on different timelines across California, this natural variation allowed us to observe differences in mental health trends." The findings revealed that children whose schools reopened were 43% less likely to be diagnosed with mental health conditions by the ninth month after reopening. Rita Hamad, professor of social epidemiology and public policy at Harvard University, emphasized the importance of in-person schooling for children's well-being, arguing that policies "should focus not only on infection control, but also on the mental well-being of children, recognizing that schools are a critical part of their support system.” The study highlights the need for prioritizing safe school reopenings in future public health emergencies.

 

EdSource

Santa Rosa City Schools has issued a negative certification, indicating it cannot meet its financial obligations for the current and upcoming fiscal years. This unprecedented move follows a history of qualified certifications, highlighting the district's ongoing financial struggles. Interim financial chief Luz Cazares said: "We are pushing to get to a positive certification," emphasizing the need for significant budget cuts, including potential layoffs across the district. The district aims to save nearly $3mthis year and $23m next year, which is about 10% of its budget. The proposed cuts have sparked resistance from staff and community members, who argue that eliminating support services will harm student well-being. The board recently voted against closing Lincoln Elementary School, opting instead for a plan that includes adding portable classrooms to address space concerns.

 

Merced Sun Star

A growing crisis of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses in the U.S., putting children's lives at risk, has prompted a nationwide crackdown using surveillance cameras and artificial intelligence (AI). At the first National School Bus Safety Summit on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., officials revealed over 39m annual violations, with enforcement increasingly driven by BusPatrol, a leading provider of AI-powered stop arm cameras now fitted to 40,000 buses. The technology captures violations, which are then reviewed and forwarded to law enforcement. Lawmakers and safety experts are calling for tougher penalties, public education, and federal legislation, including a national safety campaign, to curb this dangerous behavior. Adam Youssi, supervisor of automated enforcement at Maryland’s Howard County Police Department, said many drivers remain unclear about how to behave near stopped school buses. In response, the county launched a public awareness campaign outlining motorists’ responsibilities, sharing safety graphics on social media and including informational inserts with residents’ water bills.

 

USA Today

Recent surveys reveal that immigration raids and political rhetoric are significantly affecting students' mental health and school attendance. According to the UCLA Institute for Democracy, Education and Access, over two-thirds of high school principals reported that students from immigrant families expressed concerns about their well-being. Additionally, more than one-third of principals reported instances of bullying against these students. A separate survey by the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) highlighted that many parents are fearful for their children's safety. Despite these challenges, many families continue to prioritize education.

 

EdSource

In a piece for Education Week, Daniel A. Sabol emphasizes the critical role of school libraries in addressing learning loss. He argues that modern libraries serve as essential recovery spaces for students, fostering confidence and engagement through diverse activities. Despite their importance, school libraries are often overlooked, with a significant decline of nearly 20% in certified librarian positions from 2010 to 2019. Sabol writes: "A well-staffed, modern library directly supports academic recovery," and cites research from the American Association of School Librarians linking certified librarians to higher reading scores, improved graduation rates, and increased student engagement. He advocates for the restoration and reimagining of libraries, highlighting their role in promoting digital equity and supporting various educational priorities, including literacy and social-emotional learning. To ensure equitable learning recovery, schools must invest in certified librarians and inclusive collections, recognizing libraries as vital infrastructure for student success.

 

Education Week News

Austrian lawmakers have passed a ban on Muslim headscarves for girls under 14, despite concerns regarding its constitutionality. The ruling coalition, supported by the far-right Freedom Party, argues that the ban protects young girls from societal pressures. Yannick Shetty, parliamentary leader of the liberal Neos, said: "This is not about restricting freedom, but about protecting the freedom of girls up to 14." However, rights groups, including Amnesty International, have criticized the legislation, claiming it exacerbates discrimination against Muslims. Austria's Constitutional Court previously deemed a similar ban illegal, emphasizing the state's duty to remain religiously neutral. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr highlighted the increasing pressure young girls face regarding their attire, while the Greens proposed creating interdisciplinary teams to address cultural tensions in schools.

 

Reuters

The Local

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has announced a partnership with Elon Musk's artificial intelligence (AI) company xAI to integrate artificial intelligence into over 5,000 public schools. The initiative aims to provide personalized learning experiences for more than 1m students through the Grok chatbot, which adapts tutoring to each student's pace, preferences, and mastery level. It follows a recent collaboration with Google to offer free virtual medical consultations supported by AI.

 

ABC News