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California is expanding paid teacher training programs and launching its first registered teacher apprenticeship initiative as the state struggles with persistent shortages of qualified educators. State officials say becoming a teacher in California remains financially difficult, with credentialing programs costing more than $30,000 in addition to a bachelor’s degree, while requiring hundreds of hours of unpaid classroom work. Nearly 16,000 teachers entered California classrooms underprepared last academic year, particularly in rural areas, the Central Valley, and high-need subjects such as math, science, and special education. To address the problem, California has invested roughly $2.1bn over the past decade in teacher residency programs, grants, and apprenticeships that allow aspiring teachers to earn stipends or wages while completing training. This fall, the state will launch its first registered apprenticeship program for teachers, initially serving a small number of students in Tulare and Santa Clara counties. The programs have faced setbacks after the Trump administration cut an $18 million federal grant awarded to Tulare County’s teacher training initiatives, arguing the funding supported “divisive ideologies.” Local districts, including Hanford Joint Union High School District, were forced to find alternative funding sources to continue supporting residents.

 

CalMatters

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California public schools face a July 1 deadline under AB 3074, which expands the California Racial Mascots Act by barring derogatory Native American names and mascots unless tribal consent is obtained. The law specifically names terms including Apaches, Braves, Chiefs, Indians, Savages, Tribe, and Redskins. Sacramento City USD trustees recently directed staff to begin removing offensive imagery at Hiram Johnson High, though principal Garrett Kirkland defended the Warriors name and said, “I never hear complaints about the image.” Marysville High also faces compliance questions.

 

The Sacramento Bee

The Trump administration is ramping up hiring at the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office, despite previous efforts to shrink the agency and shift responsibilities to other departments. According to an internal presentation reviewed by Politico, the office plans to hire 334 full-time employees by 2027, increasing staffing levels by roughly 45% from April 2026. The office, which oversees federal student loans, financial aid programs, and loan servicers, had faced some of the department’s deepest layoffs during a government-wide workforce reduction in March 2025. The hiring push comes as the administration continues efforts to dismantle the Education Department, including transferring management of the $1.7tn federal student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department. However, the student aid office has also taken on expanded responsibilities from Congress, including implementing new repayment plans, managing grant programs, and processing student loan forgiveness claims. The department said the additional hiring demonstrates its commitment to maintaining critical services, while critics argued the move highlights the disruption caused by last year’s layoffs. Top positions being filled include technology specialists, program analysts, and attorney advisers.

 

Politico

Redwood City School District's Measure C proposes a parcel tax of 17.5 cents per square foot annually for eight years, aiming to raise $12.2m for local TK-8 schools. This tax would cost the owner of a 2,000-square-foot home $350 per year. Despite closing four schools due to declining enrollment, the district seeks additional funds to cover pensions and special education programs. Critics argue that the tax imposes an unnecessary burden on residents already facing high costs, stating, "it is time for the district to manage its $158m in revenue efficiently without asking the community for a bailout." A recommendation for a "no" vote on Measure C is suggested.

 

Palo Alto Daily Post

Pasadena USD is grappling with a $30m budget shortfall, prompting a vote on layoffs for up to 281 employees, including teachers. The board will meet on Thursday to decide on two resolutions: one for certificated employees, primarily classroom teachers, and another for classified staff. The proposed layoffs include over 62 certificated staff and 219 classified employees. In November, the Board of Education had already approved $24.5m in budget cuts affecting school-based services and contracts. Additionally, the board is contemplating school consolidation, with recommendations expected from its advisory committee before a final vote in June. "The board is also considering school consolidation," the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

 

EdSource

Western Placer USD has officially named its new K-8 school in the Village 7 area as Liberty Point Lions. The decision was made during a school board meeting, with the school set to open in the 2030-31 school year. The name "Liberty" symbolizes the collaboration between the district, the city, and the developer. Community engagement was significant, with 56,202 individuals viewing outreach efforts and 1,584 survey responses submitted. The top name finalists included Liberty Grove, Liberty Junction, Liberty Oaks, Liberty Point, and Liberty Ridge, with Liberty Point and Liberty Ridge emerging as favorites.

 

The Sacramento Bee

K–12 schools are increasingly developing digital resilience strategies as growing reliance on cloud-based systems leaves districts vulnerable to ransomware attacks, severe weather, and technology outages that can disrupt learning and school operations. Education and technology experts say districts should focus on continuity planning rather than attempting to fully replicate cloud platforms locally. Recommended measures include building network redundancies, adding backup internet providers, protecting critical infrastructure with backup power systems, and ensuring key applications and devices can function offline when connectivity is lost. Technology providers including Microsoft and Arista Networks said schools should enable offline access for classroom devices, allowing students and teachers to continue working even during internet disruptions. Once connectivity returns, files and applications can automatically sync back to cloud platforms.

 

EdTech Magazine

Schools and universities are rapidly moving beyond traditional security tools such as cameras, locks, and alarms toward integrated, AI-enabled platforms that provide real-time monitoring and faster responses to potential threats. Modern campus security systems now combine video surveillance, access control, environmental sensors, and visitor management into unified platforms that allow staff to monitor activity more efficiently and coordinate responses across campuses. AI-powered systems can identify unusual behavior, detect propped-open doors, and surface relevant video footage without requiring staff to constantly watch screens. Education leaders are increasingly prioritizing systems that act as “force multipliers,” helping campuses manage security with limited personnel and resources. Real-time alerts and centralized interfaces are replacing older, reactive systems that were mainly used to review incidents after they occurred. However, experts caution that technology alone cannot guarantee safety. The effectiveness of security systems still depends heavily on staff training, cross-department coordination, long-term maintenance funding, and clear operational procedures.

 

EdTech Magazine

The Community Food Connections program, managed by Alejandro Gomez at Alchemist Community Development Corporation, serves around 2,800 food-insecure families in Sacramento. Joe Robustelli, the food access director, expressed concern about the program's sustainability, noting: "This program is full right now. As families lose their benefits, we can't really expand and help." With the impending cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (CalFresh), the program is launching a fundraising campaign called "Full Bellies Feed Learning" to raise $250,000 for operational support. Despite raising $75,000 so far, the program faces challenges due to limited district funding and increasing demand for services.

 

The Sacramento Bee

More than half of Big 12 schools are declining optional credit lines of up to $30m each under the conference’s agreement with RedBird Capital Partners and Weatherford Capital. Texas Tech, Iowa State, Colorado, Kansas State, Arizona, and several others are holding off, while Kansas remains undecided. The wider deal includes a $12.5m conference investment, a commercial partnership with RedBird, and potential financing worth up to $500m if all schools participate. Several universities cited caution or no immediate need for new funding.

 

USA Today

Yahoo Sports

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has distanced herself from a proposal to shorten the country’s school year by 40 days to accommodate both extreme heat and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following criticism from parents’ groups and growing political pressure. The proposal, announced Thursday by Education Secretary Mario Delgado, would move the end of the academic year forward from July 15 to June 5, while schools would reopen on August 31. Delgado said the change was intended to respond to a national heat wave and the logistical pressures associated with hosting World Cup matches in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. However, speaking Friday at her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said the plan was not finalized and stressed that the government must also consider students’ instructional time. She acknowledged widespread enthusiasm for soccer and the tournament, but said “there isn’t a set timeline yet” for any adjustment to the academic calendar. The proposal triggered backlash from Mexico’s National Union of Parent Associations, which argued that children’s education should not be compromised for a sporting event taking place in only a handful of municipalities.

 

U.S. News

India has launched one of the world’s largest artificial intelligence (AI)-focused teacher training programs, aiming to train more than 1m teachers by 2027 and integrate artificial intelligence into everyday classroom teaching. The “AI Literacy for Teachers” initiative was launched by Bodhan AI, an IIT Madras-backed Center of Excellence for AI in Education, and announced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the IIT Madras Technology Summit in New Delhi. The program is designed to position AI as a daily classroom assistant rather than a standalone technology tool. Teachers will receive training on using AI for lesson planning, content creation, student assessments, feedback systems, multilingual translation, and administrative support. The rollout will begin with pilot testing in the coming months, followed by the first public cohort on Teachers’Day in September 2026. The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, state governments, and other institutions.

 

India Today