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California
9th June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

San Francisco Superintendent enters national spotlight

San Francisco USD Superintendent Maria Su is preparing to testify before the GOP-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce as the district faces national scrutiny over parental rights, classroom content, transgender policies and race-based instruction. Su’s written remarks emphasize that schools must be both academically focused and inclusive. She says: “We do not pick and choose who we serve,” while stressing that San Francisco USD must follow federal and California laws on privacy, nondiscrimination, safety and parental notice. Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman warned the hearing could become political “theater” and said Su’s priority should be avoiding a damaging viral confrontation.

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WORKFORCE

Judge strikes down H-1B fee hike

In a major ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin has struck down the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, siding with 20 states that argued the fee violated the Administrative Procedure Act. “The Court finds that the Policy imposes a tax on H-1B petitions without the requisite delegation by Congress,” Sorokin said. The fee was intended to deter foreign workers from taking American jobs, but it complicated hiring for essential roles, particularly in education and healthcare. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also challenged the fee in court, and the ruling may lead to conflicting decisions across different appellate circuits. The fee is set to expire in September 2026, but the legal battles continue.

Transforming child care in South L.A.

In South Los Angeles, a pilot program is addressing the child-care worker shortage by pairing adult school students with an early education center. This initiative, part of Los Angeles USD's broader expansion into early childhood education, offers tuition-free training and fieldwork opportunities. "We know that there's a big need in that space," said LAUSD board member Kelly Gonez, emphasizing the importance of creating pathways for adult students. The program allows students to gain hands-on experience while working with preschool children, enhancing their skills and confidence. Since its inception, 137 students have completed the program, with many entering the child-care workforce or pursuing further education. The district plans to deliver an early learning plan by September to increase affordable child-care options and strengthen the early education workforce. "It's a win-win," Gonez added, highlighting the dual benefits for students and children.

LEGAL

Judge denies Laguna Beach graduation venue change request

In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Fred Slaughter denied a request from grandparents William Breit and Kathleen Christoff to change the graduation venue for Laguna Beach High School from Irvine Bowl to Guyer Field. The grandparents argued that the Irvine Bowl does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, citing limited wheelchair-accessible seating. “The graduation ceremony of the high school’s senior class is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone event,” they stated. However, Judge Slaughter noted that the plaintiffs failed to prove that the venue was inadequate for access. Laguna Beach USD emphasized its commitment to accessibility, having gathered feedback from families to accommodate needs for the ceremony.

GOVERNANCE

Burns leads race for superintendent

In the race for Monterey County Superintendent of Schools, Dan Burns is currently leading with 56.48% of the vote against Ralph Porras, who has 43.52%, according to the latest results from the Monterey County Elections Department. The position became available after Deneen Guss announced she would not seek reelection. A candidate must secure a majority to win outright; otherwise, the top two will face a runoff. Burns is expected to be the official winner when the vote is certified in July. The superintendent oversees the Monterey County Office of Education, which supports 24 school districts and over 72,000 students. "I'm feeling very confident," said Church, who retained his seat in the Board of Supervisors District 2 with 70.13% of the vote. As of 2023, the superintendent's annual salary is $273,020.04.

FINANCE

Ravenswood bond measure sails to victory

The Ravenswood City School District in East Palo Alto is experiencing a surge in support for its $70m school bond, Measure A, which is currently leading with 66% of the vote. This bond aims to address the district's urgent need for new classrooms due to an expected influx of students from The Primary School, which is closing soon. Board Trustee Jenny Bloom expressed relief, stating: “The bond measure passing is a big relief.” The district's aging facilities are not equipped to handle the anticipated enrollment surge, and without the bond, students may have to be placed in temporary classrooms. Superintendent Gina Sudaria emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “This community is a resilient community that believes in its children.” Ravenswood's success contrasts with other local districts facing challenges in passing funding measures.

DISTRICTS

Fresno Unified leads personal finance revolution

Jeff Allen, a teacher on special assignment at Fresno USD, is spearheading the implementation of personal finance courses required for California high school graduation starting in 2027-28. The district is a pioneer in this initiative, offering students practical skills in banking, debt management, and wealth building. Allen has developed a curriculum guide to assist educators statewide, emphasizing the importance of personal finance education. “You say personal finance, and it’s like a universal, ‘Oh, I wish I had that,’” Allen said, highlighting the widespread recognition of its value. The courses, which cover essential topics like credit scores and investments, have already engaged 730 students across 17 teachers in Fresno.

Ceres school name shortlist revealed

Ceres USD has narrowed down the potential new names for Cesar Chavez Junior High to three: Louie Arrollo Junior High School, José M. Hernández Junior High School, and Eastgate Junior High School. Both Arrollo and Hernández are tied as top recommendations from the community following a public survey that reduced the options from 53. The CUSD trustees will make a final decision at an upcoming board meeting.

Graduation takes center stage at Golden 1

Sacramento City USD held its first graduation ceremony yesterday at Golden 1 Center, with C.K. McClatchy High School leading the way. The event marked a shift from previous venues, as the district has adapted its graduation locations over the years. The ceremony featured multiple speakers who emphasized themes of trust and resilience. The district is investing $300,000 for the use of Golden 1 Center, reflecting its commitment to providing a memorable experience for graduates.

Graduation day: a bright future

Central Coast New Tech High School has celebrated the graduation of 71 students with over $65,000 in scholarships awarded. Nearly 18% of the graduates will attend Cal Poly, while others will pursue various paths, including Cuesta College, military service, or entering the workforce. Valedictorian James Russell Carter and salutatorian Gabriela Gutierrez were recognized during the ceremony. "The future is bright for all of us," Carter said, inspiring his classmates as they tossed their caps in celebration.

CYBERSECURITY

FTC mandates cybersecurity overhaul for school software provider Illuminate

The Federal Trade Commission has finalized an order requiring K-12 software provider Illuminate Education to strengthen its cybersecurity practices following a 2021 data breach that exposed the personal information of approximately 10.1m current and former students across multiple school districts, including New York City’s public school system. The FTC alleged that Illuminate failed to implement reasonable security measures, ignored warnings about vulnerabilities dating back to 2020, and allowed a hacker to access student data using credentials belonging to a former employee. Exposed information included email and mailing addresses, dates of birth, student records, and health-related data. The agency also claimed some school districts were not informed of the breach until nearly two years later. Under the order, Illuminate must establish a comprehensive data security program, limit the collection and retention of personal information, delete unnecessary data, publish a data retention schedule, and adopt data minimization practices.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

More than half of teacher-training programs now earn top reading instruction grade

A growing number of U.S. teacher-preparation programs are aligning with science-of-reading principles, according to a new National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) review. The share of programs earning an A grade more than doubled to 53% from 26% in 2023, while the proportion receiving an F fell to less than a quarter. The report found that most programs now provide instruction and practice in the five core components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Despite the progress, around one in five programs still teach outdated methods such as “three-cueing,” which encourages students to rely on pictures and context rather than phonics to decode words. The review also found significant gaps in preparing teachers to support English language learners and struggling readers, with only 16% of programs providing practical training for teaching English learners to read. State-led science-of-reading reforms appear to be driving improvements, particularly in states such as Ohio and Indiana, where stricter accountability measures have prompted universities to update curricula and remove legacy teaching practices.

HIGHER EDUCATION

More U.S. medical schools add nutrition training requirements

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said 19 additional medical schools have pledged to require at least 40 hours of nutrition education, or an equivalent competency requirement, for students starting in fall 2026. The new commitments bring the total number of participating medical schools to 73, following 54 earlier pledges under the Trump administration’s nutrition education initiative. Schools joining the effort include Florida Atlantic University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Massachusetts. HHS and the Department of Education also said eight medical accrediting, testing, and board organizations have committed to strengthening nutrition training across medical education, exams, and residency programs.

INTERNATIONAL

Mexico City teachers strike ahead of World Cup

Thousands of teachers in Mexico City are continuing their protests, blocking streets and maintaining an encampment just days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) is demanding higher wages and pension reforms, stating they will continue their strike indefinitely. President Claudia Sheinbaum remarked, "There are groups that want to provoke the Mexican government and are not necessarily teachers," emphasizing the need for patience as negotiations are ongoing. The protests are affecting tourism and local businesses, with the World Cup expected to generate $3 bn in economic activity. Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez urged teachers to end the protests, which are impacting students and the city's economy.

Iran's team honors school victims

As Iran's World Cup team arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, they wore gold-colored lapel pins inscribed with "168," commemorating the victims of a missile strike on a school in Minab, Iran, which killed many children. The strike, attributed to the U.S., has faced criticism from the United Nations and human rights organizations. Ehsan Hajisafi, a player on the team, was part of the delegation that flew from Antalya to Tijuana. The team is set to play its group-stage matches in the U.S., but visa issues have complicated their entry. "It is unclear when the Iran team will be allowed to enter the U.S.," as they prepare for their opening game against New Zealand on June 15.
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