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California
5th August 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Newsom strengthens education governance in California

Gov. Gavin Newsom is enhancing the governance of public education in California with his final budget plan, which includes the signing of Assembly Bill 181. This legislation aims to centralize school oversight under a newly appointed education commissioner, addressing the fragmented governance that has plagued the state. "AB181 is the first step in correcting this problem, not the endpoint," said Vernon M. Billy, chief executive of the California School Boards Association. The proposed SOS for Student Achievement bills, including AB 2225, AB 2149, AB 2514, and AB 2202, aim to connect governance reform with measurable student outcomes, ensuring that state support aligns with local school needs. If passed, these bills will create a public dashboard for accountability and require the Legislative Analyst's Office to evaluate state actions. Newsom's initiatives lay the groundwork for a system of reciprocal accountability, where both state and local entities share responsibility for student performance.

STATE NEWS

California expands Farm to School program

California has permanently expanded its Farm to School program after its success in connecting schools with local farmers, providing grants for fresh, locally sourced food, farm field trips, culinary training for cafeteria staff, and kitchen upgrades. Since launching in 2021, the initiative has reached about 500 school districts and forms part of the state's broader investment of more than $1bn in healthier school meals, alongside universal free school meals. A key feature of the program is its use of regional food hubs, which coordinate purchasing and deliveries between nearly 600 small farms and school districts, reducing administrative burdens while giving farmers more reliable demand. School nutrition leaders say the program has dramatically improved meal quality, with students embracing fresh fruits, vegetables, and scratch-made meals that replace more processed options. Districts report higher student satisfaction, stronger staff morale, and greater support for local agriculture, with educators describing the initiative as a major step forward in improving student nutrition while strengthening California's farming communities.

NATIONAL NEWS

Summer programs priced beyond reach

Nearly 12.6m children in the United States are missing out on summer camps and other structured programs because of cost, according to a report from the Afterschool Alliance. The study found that almost half of parents who wanted to enroll their children in summer programs were unable to do so, with affordability identified as the biggest obstacle, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Children from high-income households were three times more likely to participate in summer programs than those from low-income families. The report also identified transportation, limited program availability, and a lack of spaces as barriers to participation. Parents who enrolled their children in summer programs reported high satisfaction levels, with 96% expressing positive views, while nearly 9 in 10 supported increased public funding to expand access. The Afterschool Alliance called for greater government and private investment in summer learning opportunities, citing strong demand and the potential benefits for children's academic, social, and physical development.

GOVERNANCE

L.A. school board's shocking dismissal move

Newly released letters reveal the Los Angeles USD Board of Education's intent to dismiss former Superintendent Alberto Carvalho for “unfitness for service” and other allegations. The accusations include undisclosed gifts, outside consulting income, donor-funded travel, and misuse of district resources, following an FBI raid on Carvalho's home and office. Carvalho, who has denied any wrongdoing, described the board's letter as “legally and factually deficient.” His attorneys argued that the allegations were politically motivated, stating: “This letter is legally and factually deficient. It is not a good-faith exercise of oversight.” The board's letter outlines various claims, including failure to report gifts and outside income, while Carvalho's defense maintains that he acted transparently and in accordance with district regulations. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Carvalho and the board amid a federal investigation into a company he worked with.

FINANCE

Unspent Education Department funds raise concerns over federal education programs

The U.S. Department of Education allowed more than $75m in congressionally appropriated funding to expire unspent in fiscal 2025, far exceeding the amounts left unspent during the previous decade. The largest unobligated balances included funding for staff salaries, the Office for Civil Rights, mental health grants, education research, career and technical education, and the department's inspector general, with experts attributing the underspending to workforce reductions, slower implementation of programs, and the cancellation of previously awarded grants. Spending has continued at a slower pace during the current fiscal year, raising the prospect that additional funding could expire unused. Critics argue the approach undermines Congress's spending decisions and could reduce future appropriations for key education programs, while the department said unobligated funds are not uncommon and that it remains committed to using appropriated funds effectively to fulfill its statutory responsibilities.

Sacramento schools face fiscal showdown

Sacramento City USD is facing a significant financial crisis, prompting a special meeting to discuss an appeal to the state superintendent regarding the county Office of Education's recent decision to rescind part of its fiscal plan. The California Education Code allows districts five days to appeal such fiscal determinations, but it remains uncertain if the law permits a separate appeal against a fiscal adviser's decision. The county's fiscal adviser overturned the district's approval of a new labor agreement with its teacher's union, which was expected to provide $97.6m in financial relief over three years. David Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, emphasized that “the long-term financial recovery of the district will take time and require extraordinary fiscal discipline.” The district's board is set to authorize an appeal, which would need to be filed within ten days.

Palo Alto USD stalls on $65.5m plan

Palo Alto USD is currently without a plan for allocating $65.5m from the sale of seven acres at the Cubberley Community Center. Superintendent Jason Glass acknowledged the delay, stating: “I wasn't here when the date passed, but I'm here now, and moving this forward is my responsibility.” The district's leadership has seen significant turnover, with Glass being the fourth superintendent in six months. He has tasked chief business officer Charen Yu with developing a spending plan focused on building upgrades, which is expected to be presented to the board in the fall. Meanwhile, a half-cent sales tax proposal to fund the Cubberley deal will be on the ballot for voters on November 3, although only 34% of surveyed voters deemed the land purchase important. City manager Ed Shikada noted that the agreed price aims to benefit schools and improve Cubberley.

POLICY

Mountain View-Los Altos considers smart glasses ban

The Mountain View-Los Altos High School District is considering a ban on artificial intelligence-enabled eyewear, including smart glasses, due to rising concerns about cheating and privacy violations. The proposed policy states: “Students shall not wear, activate or use artificial intelligence-enabled eyewear... on any school campus at any time during the school day.” This policy is stricter than existing cellphone rules, which allow limited use during non-teaching times. The College Board has already prohibited smart glasses during SAT exams, citing cheating risks. The district aims to “protect student and staff privacy and reduce potential disruptions to the instructional environment.” Other districts, like Sequoia UHSD, have implemented similar restrictions, aligning with California's Assembly Bill 3216, which mandates policies limiting smartphone use by July 2026. Smart glasses are facing scrutiny nationwide, with various states enacting similar bans.

DISTRICTS

Closure blindsides teacher, leaves her jobless

Deborah Lee, a teacher at SCALE Leadership Academy, expressed her shock after the school was abruptly closed, leaving her jobless and uninsured while pregnant with twins. The Riverside County Board of Education unanimously voted to deny SCALE's charter renewal due to concerns about its operations, including questionable contracts with religious organizations and a nonprofit founded by SCALE's founder, Lawrence Wynder II. The Riverside County Office of Education's report stated that SCALE failed to meet state academic standards and operated outside its authorizing district. Lee, who previously worked at a school that faced similar issues, said: “We were in the dark. We had no idea.” The closure has raised significant questions about transparency and governance in California's charter school system.

TECHNOLOGY

High school students develop AI policy recommendations for K-12 education

Nearly 100 high school students from all 50 states have developed a national framework for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in K-12 schools, calling for policies that emphasize authentic learning, human judgment, data privacy, and student involvement rather than broad restrictions on AI. Drafted during last month's America's Youth AI Festival in Washington, D.C., the nonbinding STUDENTS FIRST Act of 2026 recommends allowing AI to support activities such as brainstorming, studying, and lesson planning, while prohibiting its use to generate original student assignments or independently make decisions on grading, discipline, or hiring. The student-authored framework also calls for greater transparency around student data collection, AI literacy instruction throughout K-12 education, ongoing staff training, and regular reviews of district AI policies with input from students, educators, and parents. Organizers said the recommendations are intended to help guide future conversations among schools and policymakers as AI becomes more widely adopted in education.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Toxic vapors force school closure

Kennedy High School in Richmond has closed due to the discovery of toxic vapors beneath the campus, specifically levels of tetrachloroethylene (PCE). West Contra Costa County USD Superintendent Cheryl Cotton stated that the closure was a precaution after environmental tests revealed concerning levels of PCE. District spokeswoman Liz Sanders mentioned that while they hope to reopen by the expected return date of August 18, they are actively planning for a temporary relocation of the school community. "We are not waiting for this additional testing to engage in rapid planning," Sanders said. PCE is a carcinogenic chemical linked to various health risks, prompting the district to conduct extensive testing. Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health and safety of students and staff. This incident follows previous environmental concerns at other district schools.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Vaccination reminders for California students

As California students gear up for the new school year, state health officials urge parents to ensure their children's vaccinations are current. "Parents and caregivers, make sure to check your back-to-school checklist," said the California Health and Human Services Agency. Despite recent changes in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) immunization recommendations, California's vaccine requirements for public and private schools remain unchanged. The California Department of Public Health emphasized that "California's vaccine requirements remain the same despite recent federal changes." Families must provide proof of vaccination for several diseases, including Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, and Measles, before enrolling in pre-kindergarten or licensed childcare programs. For students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade, specific vaccines are mandated, including Tdap for whooping cough.

CYBERSECURITY

K–12 districts urged to strengthen oversight of third-party software

Recent cybersecurity incidents involving Canvas and PowerSchool have highlighted the growing risks posed by third-party software vendors, prompting experts to urge K–12 districts to adopt more structured vendor risk management practices. With schools relying on thousands of Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, experts recommend creating a comprehensive inventory of all software, categorizing vendors by risk based on the sensitivity of student data they handle, and focusing security resources on the highest-risk providers. The article also recommends embedding cybersecurity requirements into vendor contracts, including clear breach notification timelines, audit rights, backup and recovery obligations, and disclosure of subcontractors. Ongoing monitoring through security certifications, vendor updates, and regular reviews, combined with processes to identify unauthorized applications and incident response plans tailored to critical vendors, can help districts better protect student data while maintaining operational resilience.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Direct admissions: a game changer

Direct admissions are gaining traction among universities as they adapt to a declining applicant pool. Wingate University recently informed 20,000 high school students that they were accepted into the class of 2030 without needing to apply, offering scholarships of $24,000. Rob Bielby, managing director at Huron, noted: “It's almost becoming a default requirement for institutions that are not at the highest tier of selectivity.” This strategy aims to attract a diverse range of students, including first-generation applicants, by simplifying the admissions process. The Common App has expanded its direct admissions program significantly, now involving 215 universities. As competition intensifies, institutions like Nazareth University and Lycoming College are also adopting this approach to enhance enrollment and provide early scholarship information to prospective students.

INTERNATIONAL

China expands AI-powered learning to transform schools nationwide

China is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence across its education system as part of a broader effort to improve teaching quality and deliver more personalized learning for its more than 220m students. Under the country's 2026-30 Five-Year Plan and the Ministry of Education's "AI Plus Education" initiative, AI is being deployed in classrooms to analyze student performance, generate tailored assignments, assist with lesson planning, and support teachers with grading and curriculum development. Schools across China are already using AI in a range of ways, from creating individualized learning pathways to introducing AI literacy classes and helping teachers develop real-world case studies. While educators say the technology is improving efficiency and enabling more personalized instruction, they stress that AI remains a support tool rather than a replacement for teachers, who continue to play a critical role in providing guidance, critical thinking, and ethical oversight as digital learning becomes more widespread. 
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