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California lawmakers have proposed investing $350m through 2032 to expand the California Newcomer Education and Well-Being (CalNEW) program, which provides English language instruction, academic support, educator training, and family services for students who are new to the United States. The funding, included in the Legislature's budget plan, would dramatically increase support for the program, which previously received $6.9m annually. The expansion would allow more school districts to participate and, according to advocates, eventually serve all of California's approximately 237,000 newcomer students. The proposal still requires Gov. Gavin Newsom's approval as part of the final state budget. School districts including Garden Grove Unified use CalNEW funding to operate family resource centers, connect families with housing, food, legal, mental health, and health care services, and provide tutoring and instructional support. District officials said those services have become increasingly important as heightened immigration enforcement has left many newcomer families fearful and uncertain about where to seek help.

 

Pasadena Star-News

Conservative advocacy groups aligned with the MAGA movement are playing a significant role in advancing the Trump administration's education agenda by filing civil rights complaints that have triggered federal investigations into school diversity initiatives and transgender policies. Groups including Defending Education, America First Legal, the Defense of Freedom Institute, Do No Harm, and the America First Policy Institute have successfully prompted dozens of federal investigations into transgender participation in sports, admissions policies, and diversity programs. Administration officials say outside organizations play an important role in identifying potential violations of federal law, while critics argue the investigations are being used to advance an ideological agenda and roll back protections for LGBTQ students. Defending Education President Nicole Neily said the organization is working to protect women's spaces based on biological sex and ensure schools comply with federal law. She said the group is focused on helping parents understand education issues and pursue policy changes through legal channels, rather than through confrontation. The organization plans to challenge similar admissions policies at other women's colleges.

 

New York Times

Rising employee health care costs are placing growing pressure on school district budgets, forcing leaders to make difficult financial tradeoffs that could affect classroom investments, facilities, staffing, and employee recruitment, according to a recent survey by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Association of School Business Officials International. The survey of 767 superintendents, conducted in March and April, found that 98% said rising health care costs are having a measurable impact on their district budgets. While the findings are not nationally representative, they reflect the views of members of both organizations. Nearly half of respondents said they had already shifted funding away from other priorities to cover higher health insurance costs. According to the survey, prescription drug costs were the leading driver of higher insurance premiums, cited by 60% of respondents. 

 

Education Week News

Lucerne Valley USD is set to pay off a $6.9m loan, taken in 2008, nearly 13 years early. The School Board voted unanimously to make a $2.1m payment on August 1, marking a significant financial achievement. Superintendent Peter Livingston said, "To be debt free has been a goal we set and we accomplished." The district's proactive financial planning, led by Director of Government Financial Services Keith Weaver, has allowed it to avoid approximately $847,000 in interest payments over 13 years.

 

Daily Press

At Pajaro Middle School, 14 out of 17 teachers have expressed a no-confidence vote against Principal Nicole Killian, citing inadequate leadership and safety concerns. Parents and teachers have voiced their demands for Killian's reassignment at Pajaro Valley Joint USD board meetings. Teachers allege that Killian failed to investigate altercations and follow safety protocols, referencing incidents involving law enforcement and threatening student behavior. Brandon Diniz, president of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Local 1936, noted that the teachers' actions stem from two years of unaddressed concerns. In response, PVUSD stated that they take safety reports seriously and remain confident in their leadership.

 

Monterey County Weekly

Action Day Schools is set to open a new campus in San Jose's Almaden Valley this fall, marking the 14th location for the organization founded nearly 60 years ago by John and Carole Freitas. The school will cater to infants through pre-K, offering nutritious meals, a specialized innovation hub, and Spanish language exploration. John Freitas, now 92, reflected on the journey, stating: “The school was really her baby,” referring to his late wife Carole, who was passionate about early childhood education. The Freitas' vision emphasized the “whole child” philosophy, focusing on cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Action Day has grown alongside Silicon Valley, serving around 3,000 students across its campuses. Cathy Jelic, the current president, noted: “Our job is to nurture confident, curious and resilient learners.” 

 

East Bay

Afghan refugee students in Sacramento face significant challenges in adapting to a new educational environment, as highlighted by Zarif Aminyar, founder of the American Center for Empowerment. Many families struggle with language barriers and navigating the American education system, leading to a risk of academic disengagement and dropout. "The question is not whether Afghan students can succeed. It is about whether Sacramento will act quickly enough," Aminyar said. While some students thrive, others face obstacles such as interrupted education and mental health issues. Community support, including mentorship and parent education workshops, has proven effective in helping these students. However, a collaborative effort among schools, community organizations, and local governments is essential to ensure that Afghan students receive the necessary support to succeed.

 

The Sacramento Bee

AI has the potential to enhance education, but it also poses a significant risk to student learning if it encourages learners to outsource too much of the cognitive effort needed to build lasting knowledge and critical thinking skills, according to a new report. The University of Technology Sydney report argues that excessive reliance on AI can create a "false mastery" effect, where students complete tasks more easily but fail to develop the deep understanding and long-term memory needed for future learning. The authors warn that novice learners are particularly vulnerable if they use AI as a substitute for thinking rather than as a learning aid. The report also highlights equity concerns, suggesting that students with strong subject knowledge and metacognitive skills are better positioned to benefit from AI, while those with weaker foundations are more likely to become dependent on the technology and miss essential learning opportunities. Rather than limiting AI use, the authors advocate integrating it through evidence-based teaching practices. They recommend using AI to reduce unnecessary cognitive workload, scaffold students' metacognitive skills, and encourage learners to question, verify, and explain AI-generated responses rather than simply accepting them.

 

Education International

The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) is calling for urgent government action after reporting that students and teachers in parts of western Jamaica are still working and learning in unsafe conditions more than eight months after Hurricane Melissa. Following visits to schools in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, and St. James with representatives from the American Federation of Teachers, JTA President Mark Malabver said students remain in overcrowded tents that are hot, poorly ventilated, and unsuitable for learning, with mold found in some locations. He described the conditions as unacceptable and said the slow pace of repairs raises doubts that schools will be ready for the start of the new academic year. Malabver also expressed concern that Jamaica has entered another hurricane season while many repairs remain unfinished, leaving schools vulnerable to future storms. The JTA has written to the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information for a second time, urging immediate action and insisting that no student or teacher should be expected to learn or work in conditions that compromise health, safety, dignity, or educational outcomes.

 

The Gleaner

Jamaica Observer