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California
30th March 2026
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THE HOT STORY

IES overhaul faces political limits

A new Trump administration-backed report has outlined a potential overhaul of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), calling for a narrower research focus, faster data delivery, and closer alignment with the practical needs of schools. While some reforms could be implemented internally, more significant changes would require congressional approval, which remains unlikely given political divisions. The Institute is attempting to stabilize after major layoffs in 2025, with modest rehiring and budget preservation offering some recovery, but experts warn that rebuilding staff capacity is essential for any meaningful transformation. Stakeholders broadly support the report’s recommendations, including prioritizing key national challenges and improving research usability, but question whether the agency can execute them without sufficient resources and bipartisan backing.

INCREASE ENROLLMENT

Guide on Marketing Your School or District

This guide provides you with actionable strategies to help communicate your school’s or district’s strengths, attract more families, and ensure parents find the best education option for their children.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Borrowers face a SAVE shakeup

The U.S. Department of Education has announced that more than 7m borrowers enrolled in the Biden-era SAVE repayment plan will be required to choose a new repayment option within 90 days, with notices being issued in phases starting Friday and repayments set to resume from July 1 after the plan was struck down by a federal appeals court. Borrowers had been in forbearance since July 2024 during ongoing legal challenges, but interest has continued to accrue, and most will now face higher monthly payments under alternative plans that typically require at least 10% of discretionary income, compared with as little as 5% under SAVE.

WORKFORCE

Support roles lead education hiring

Federal data shows that the fastest-growing education jobs over the next decade will be non-classroom roles, including substitute teachers, therapists, and technology staff, as shifting student enrollment and tighter school budgets limit demand for traditional teaching positions. Growth is being driven by increased focus on early intervention services for students with disabilities, as well as rising reliance on IT infrastructure in schools. However, districts face persistent hiring challenges, particularly for lower-paid support roles and specialized health professionals who have more lucrative opportunities outside education. Declining student enrollment, expiring federal funding, and budget deficits are also constraining overall job growth, meaning gains in support roles may not offset broader reductions in teaching positions.

STATE NEWS

Coaches boost recovery capacity

California schools are grappling with weak academic performance, lingering absenteeism, and teacher shortages as pandemic relief funding runs out. The 74 argues that the California Student Success Coach Learning Network offers a scalable response by placing trained near-peer tutors and mentors in schools to support instruction, attendance, and student engagement. Citing research and program results, it says 73% of supported students improved semester grades and 95% graduated, while also building a future educator pipeline.

Newsom's education plan faces scrutiny

An Orange County Register editorial backs Gavin Newsom’s plan to streamline California’s education governance, arguing it could clarify who controls K-12 policy and accountability. The piece notes longstanding confusion between the governor, Legislature, State Board of Education, and elected superintendent, and cites support from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and past governance studies. But it argues structural reform alone will not fix weak test scores, blaming excessive bureaucracy and Newsom’s past deference to teachers’ unions while calling charter schools one of the state’s few bright spots.

TEACHING

César Chávez's legacy under scrutiny

The legacy of César Chávez, the renowned Latino labor rights leader, is facing significant reevaluation following allegations of sexual misconduct, including rape, that surfaced in a New York Times investigation. Brian Tabatabai, a teacher at El Monte High School, emphasized the importance of addressing these allegations with students, stating: “I knew that it was going to be all over their social media.” Schools across Southern California are responding by altering their curricula to focus less on Chávez and more on the broader farmworkers movement. Torrance USD has advised teachers to exclude Chávez from lessons for the time being, while educators like Tabatabai aim to foster discussions about the complexities of historical figures. Miguel Zavala, an associate professor at UC Riverside, noted that understanding the contradictions in historical narratives is crucial for student education. Despite the challenges, Tabatabai expressed hope that the revelations will empower future generations to speak out against injustices.

GOVERNANCE

Parental rights power Shaw bid

Sonja Shaw, a mother of two, entered politics during the COVID-19 lockdowns and was elected president of Chino Valley USD's Board of Education in 2022. Now, she is campaigning for the position of state superintendent of public instruction as a Republican. Shaw faces competition from eight other candidates, with labor endorsements split among four Democrats. “I was never, ever involved politically until I realized they were coming after our kids,” Shaw said, emphasizing her commitment to parental rights. Under her leadership, the district adopted Board Policy 5020.1, which requires schools to notify parents if a student requests to change their name or pronoun. California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the policy, calling it “forced outing.” Shaw advocates for educational reforms, citing Mississippi's success in improving student test scores as a model for California. She believes in the importance of charter schools, stating they “saved my child when I didn't trust my local district.”

Saugus USD moves forward

Saugus USD is advancing in its search for a new superintendent, with the second round of interviews completed on Thursday. President Matthew Watson noted that the board narrowed down 26 applications to six candidates, emphasizing the importance of community feedback in shaping the interview process.

DISTRICTS

LAUSD too big to serve

Los Angeles businessman Daniel L. Gordon argues Los Angeles USD has become too large, bureaucratic, and insulated to meet the needs of its students, especially those from low-income and historically marginalized communities. He says the district’s scale weakens accountability, slows reform, and preserves administrative overhead even as enrollment falls. Citing poor literacy outcomes, uneven local priorities, and his own experience navigating donation red tape, Gordon contends that smaller, locally governed districts would better serve families, teachers, and students by bringing decisions closer to communities.

San Francisco USD expands middle school algebra access

San Francisco USD has voted to restore Algebra I for all eighth graders, reversing a 2014 decision to remove the course, with the goal of improving math achievement and increasing the share of students meeting grade-level standards from 42% in 2022 to 65% by 2027. The move follows years of criticism and research showing the earlier policy reduced advanced math participation and failed to close achievement gaps, and while supporters welcome broader access and automatic enrollment for qualified students, experts caution that disparities in earlier math preparation and opt-out provisions could limit the policy’s impact without further improvements to pre-middle school instruction and curriculum design.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

Chase Avenue Elementary faces major plumbing overhaul

Chase Avenue Elementary School is facing significant plumbing issues that require extensive repairs, according to Johnny Heredia, the director of facilities, maintenance, and operations for Cajon Valley USD. "Even though the sewer system's $1m, you've done $2m worth of damage," he said, highlighting the extensive collateral damage caused by the plumbing failures. The district has struggled to pass a facilities bond for nearly two decades, which has hindered maintenance budgets. To address these challenges, the district is considering breaking into smaller subdistricts for bond voting, allowing voters to focus on local needs.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Pesticide panic at local school

After a pesticide application at Apricot Valley Elementary School, Tomasa Estrella's grandchild experienced panic attacks, fearing for classmates' safety. On March 13, about 30 students and staff were affected by pesticide drift, prompting a community meeting led by Bianca Lopez of Valley Improvement Projects. Patterson Joint USD acknowledged a protocol violation, stating: “This was an oversight, and the list has since been reviewed and updated accordingly.” Following the incident, all herbicide applications have been paused while the district investigates. Parents expressed concerns about the district's emergency preparedness and the long-term health impacts of pesticide exposure. The community is advocating for better communication and safety measures regarding pesticide use in schools.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Lemon Grove's legacy of courage

Roberto Alvarez Jr. shared the history of the Lemon Grove incident, a significant legal battle for desegregation in 1931, during a community event. His father was a lead plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Lemon Grove School District, which sought to segregate Mexican-American students. Alvarez, now 82, emphasized the importance of remembering this struggle, stating, "Although we are here to celebrate the achievement of the Mexican community, we must remember that the struggle is not over." The court ruled that the district violated California law by segregating students based on their ethnicity, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for equal education. Alvarez urged the community to recall the courage of those families, noting the resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment today, and said: "We need that courage now." The incident is commemorated with a mural that highlights the resilience of the community.

NUTRITION

Spain serves food for thought

Addey Blakeney, an American teacher in Seville, Spain, has shared her experiences comparing school lunches in Spain to those in Ohio. "I remember in elementary school having spaghetti, pizza, grilled cheeses and occasional salads or vegetables but it was nothing like here," Blakeney said. She highlights the variety of fresh foods available, including cooked vegetables, salads, and local fish, which are not common in U.S. schools. Blakeney's TikTok account showcases meals like Lomo Adobado and Fabada asturiana, emphasizing the healthier options and longer lunch breaks in Spain. She believes that the U.S. could benefit from adopting a similar approach to school lunches, stating: "With a greater variety of fruits and vegetables and less processed foods." A recent study in Health Affairs Scholar found that many parents in California feel their children's school lunches lack quality and healthiness.

INTERNATIONAL

China tightens school conduct rules

China’s Ministry of Education has rolled out 20 new prohibitions for basic education, targeting academic overload, unethical teacher behavior, and unfair admissions practices. The measures ban teachers from using livestream tips, paid content, or other indirect tactics to pressure parents for money. Schools are also barred from exceeding curriculum limits, overloading students with homework and exams, or cutting into required sleep, breaks, weekends, and holidays. The rules further strengthen student protections by banning discrimination, abuse, sexual harassment, and conduct that harms student dignity.
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