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California
9th February 2026
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THE HOT STORY

SCOTUS may face new cases moved by religious charter schools

New initiatives to establish religious charter schools are gaining traction across several states, as advocates seek clarity from the U.S. Supreme Court regarding their constitutional status. Following a 4-4 deadlock last year on the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic virtual charter school case, proponents view this as an opportunity to push forward. Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said: "The [U.S. Supreme] Court has made clear that once you start funding private entities, you cannot exclude participants because of their religion." Meanwhile, opponents, including Alex J. Luchenitser of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, argue that the Constitution prohibits religious public charter schools. Recent proposals include the Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School in Oklahoma and the Wilburforce Academy in Tennessee, both facing legal scrutiny. The outcomes of these efforts could significantly impact the educational landscape and the future of religious charter schools in the U.S.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Democratic governors hesitant on school choice options

Democratic governors are divided over whether to opt into a new federal tax-credit scholarship program that would, for the first time, use federal tax policy to support private school choice. While nearly all Republican governors are participating, many Democrats remain cautious, questioning whether the program will primarily benefit private schools rather than public school students. The program offers taxpayers dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits of up to $1,700 for donations to nonprofits that fund K–12 scholarships, which can be used for a wide range of education-related expenses at public or private schools. Although the law allows public school students to benefit through tutoring, enrichment or after-school services, critics argue most funds are likely to flow initially to private school tuition due to existing infrastructure and fewer safeguards. Supporters say Democratic governors should opt in to shape the program’s development, while opponents warn it could accelerate enrollment declines and weaken public school systems.

WORKFORCE

SF teachers poised to strike

San Francisco USD public school teachers plan to strike today, the first walkout in about 50 years, unless a last-minute tentative agreement is signed. Talks stalled after an eight-hour Saturday session reached agreement on sanctuary district policies but not wages. The union wants 4.5% annual raises for two years, while the district is offering 2%, citing budget strain; a fact-finding report recommends 3%. Mayor Daniel Lurie said, “I’m disappointed… and frankly, I’m frustrated,” while Superintendent Maria Su urged continued talks: “I do not want a prolonged strike.” The district says bargaining will resume Monday at noon.

Strike vote signals urgent demands

Larry Sand, a retired teacher and former president of the California Teachers Empowerment Network, has pointed to a 94% strike authorization vote by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) after contract negotiations with the Los Angeles USD stalled. The union is seeking pay raises, smaller class sizes, and expanded support for immigrant students, even as new teachers earn $68,896 annually and total compensation exceeds $100,000 when benefits are included. At the same time, student achievement remains troubling, with only 22% of eighth graders proficient in reading and 18% in math, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Sand criticizes UTLA for prioritizing political issues over academic recovery, arguing that "learning loss is real" but "nowhere to be found in UTLA’s warped agenda."

Palo Alto schools clash over pay

Palo Alto USD is resisting union demands for significant salary increases, proposing only a 2% raise for teachers, while the Palo Alto Educators’ Association requested 13%, which Superintendent Don Austin clarified equates to a 28% increase when factoring in benefits. The district's counteroffer is based on a cost of living analysis. Non-teachers are also seeking raises, with their union proposing an 11% increase in the first year and 8% in the second, totaling a 47.92% increase when benefits are included, costing nearly $38m. Tom Culbertson, the teachers' union president, said that residents have supported schools through parcel taxes, which generate about $17m annually. The school board is also considering the future of the parcel tax, set to expire in 2027, amid debates on its necessity due to rising property tax revenues.

Dublin teachers authorize strike vote

Teachers in Dublin USD have voted overwhelmingly, with about 95% in favor, to authorize a strike due to stalled negotiations with district officials. Union members highlighted unresolved issues such as special education caseloads, class sizes, and healthcare for educators. "For over 18 months, Dublin educators have been putting forward clear, responsible solutions that prioritize students and protect classrooms," said Brad Dobrzenski, President of the Dublin Teachers Association. Superintendent Chris Funk noted the district has faced $10m in budget cuts over the past two years and anticipates further reductions. He expressed concern that even a short strike could disrupt learning and harm the community.

FINANCE

San Luis Coastal schools face budget cuts

San Luis Coastal USD is grappling with significant budget cuts, totaling around $10m over the past three years, primarily due to the closure of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. Superintendent Eric Prater emphasized the need for community investment, stating: "Diablo taught us that school funding can be unpredictable." The San Luis Coastal Education Foundation, established with a $10m endowment from PG&E, aims to support innovative educational programs rather than backfilling budget deficits. Despite community calls for the foundation to address funding gaps, both district and foundation leaders clarify that its purpose is to foster long-term educational initiatives, not to cover operational costs.

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DISTRICTS

Students stage walkout to protest ICE

Hundreds of students across Napa, Paso Robles, and Antioch walked out of school last week to protest against ICE and show solidarity with immigrant communities, part of a broader wave of student-led demonstrations across California. In Paso Robles, more than 300 students marched down Niblick Road, while in Antioch students from multiple middle and high schools rallied through city streets with chants, signs, and community support. Napa saw the largest action, with students from all five city high schools and several middle schools occupying major intersections, disrupting traffic, and organizing through social media to stage the city’s biggest student protest since President Trump’s inauguration. Organizers and participants across all three cities said the walkouts were about standing up for immigrants, opposing fear and discrimination, and using peaceful collective action to make their voices heard.

Santa Rosa City policy tightens student transfers

Santa Rosa City Schools has implemented a new policy that restricts student transfers to other districts, aiming to bolster attendance and address its financial crisis. The revised regulations, effective since early fall, limit the reasons for which interdistrict transfers will be granted. Stacy Desideri, executive director of wellness and engagement, said: “We really do believe that having students engaged in education where they live... strengthens our community.” The district has seen a significant drop in enrollment, from over 16,200 students in 2016 to about 12,000 currently, largely due to demographic shifts and competition from other districts. Critics argue that these restrictions undermine educational choice, with neighboring districts like Windsor Unified and Petaluma City Schools maintaining more open transfer policies.

TECHNOLOGY

AI use is rising among school psychologists

A new study published in School Psychology provides the first detailed snapshot of how U.S. school psychologists are using artificial intelligence (AI) in practice, finding that roughly two-thirds have used AI tools in the past six months. Based on a survey of 199 practitioners, AI is most commonly used for generating recommendations, report writing, answering work-related questions, and summarizing information, with 94% saying they review AI-generated content before finalizing it. While about half of respondents felt AI-generated recommendations were comparable to or better than their own work, confidence was lower for tasks such as test interpretation and treatment planning, and ethical concerns remain, particularly around disclosure and data security, as most respondents have not informed stakeholders of their AI use and few workplaces have formal policies.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Pentagon to end academic programmes with Harvard amid escalating tensions

The U.S. Department of Defense has announced it will end professional military education, fellowships and certificate programmes with Harvard University, marking a further escalation in the Trump administration’s dispute with the institution. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the move will apply to future enrolments from the 2026–27 academic year, though current participants will be allowed to complete their studies, and similar ties with other universities are under review. The decision comes amid broader administration criticism of elite universities over issues including campus protests on Gaza, diversity initiatives and climate policies. Harvard, which has challenged federal funding freezes in court, rejected accusations of antisemitism and said it has long played a significant role in US military education, while rights groups have raised concerns about academic freedom and due process. 

INTERNATIONAL

Ireland's rural schools face closure amid enrollment drops

Falling primary school enrollment across Ireland is putting growing pressure on small rural schools, with Department of Education data showing a drop of 6,470 pupils this year and 11 schools closing since last June. Slatta National School in Co Roscommon, founded in 1891, is facing possible closure after enrollment fell from 23 pupils in 2022 to just eight, with only five projected for September 2026 despite extensive efforts to attract families. In contrast, Scoil Naomh Pádraig in the Conamara Gaeltacht has reversed its decline through community-led initiatives such as after-school programmes and a €2,000 ($2,364) bursary for families willing to relocate, boosting numbers from four to 13 pupils. The contrasting experiences highlight both the vulnerability of rural schools to demographic change and the role local communities can play in sustaining them.
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