California

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in California
President Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter during an event signing a bill blocking California's rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, in the East Room of the White House on June 12, 2025, in Washington.
President Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter during an event where he signed a resolution blocking California's rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 in the East Room of the White House on June 12, 2025. Trump's administration has reportedly discussed halting "formula funds" to the state's education department.
Alex Brandon/AP
Education Funding Trump Admin. Says California’s K-12 Funding Is at Risk. What Would It Mean?
Title I and IDEA funding could be caught up in the battle between the White House and the largest state, which is led by Democrats.
Mark Lieberman, June 12, 2025
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10 min read
Students interact in a fourth grade classroom at William Jefferson Clinton Elementary in Compton, Calif., on Feb. 6, 2025.
Students interact in a 4th grade classroom at William Jefferson Clinton Elementary in Compton, Calif., on Feb. 6, 2025. More young students could receive instruction in phonics and other evidence-based techniques, if a long-sought state proposal is approved.
Eric Thayer/AP
Reading & Literacy California Is Poised to Pass a 'Science of Reading' Law After a Long, Tense Debate
Advocates on both sides say the compromise bill is strong, but imperfect. Will it move literacy instruction forward in the state?
Sarah Schwartz, June 12, 2025
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8 min read
Los Angeles police officers with batons and riot gear attempt to move back protesters in downtown Los Angeles on June 9, 2025.
Los Angeles police officers with batons and riot gear attempt to move back protesters in downtown Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the district's police force planned to set up "perimeters of safety" around graduation ceremonies this week amid immigration raids in the city, protests, and the activation of National Guard troops and Marines.
Eric Thayer/AP
School & District Management How Los Angeles Schools Are Responding to the ICE Raids and Protests
The school year in Los Angeles is ending amid immigration raids, protests, and the activation of National Guard troops and Marines.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens & Ileana Najarro, June 10, 2025
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4 min read
Kalia Yang leads her kindergarten and 1st grades in Lake View Elementary’s Hmong dual language immersion class on May 28th, 2025 in Madison, Wisc.
Kalia Yang leads her kindergarten and 1st grades in Lake View Elementary’s Hmong dual language immersion class on May 28th, 2025 in Madison, Wisc.
Narayan Mahon for Education Week
Teaching Profession Inside the Rare and Rewarding Work of Teaching the Hmong Language
Teachers in less commonly taught languages such as Hmong face unique challenges and opportunities in dual-language classrooms.
Ileana Najarro, May 29, 2025
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4 min read
Jessica Arrow, a play-based learning kindergarten teacher, talks with her students about squirrels during class at Symonds Elementary School in Keene, N.H. on Nov. 7, 2024.
Jessica Arrow, a play-based learning kindergarten teacher, talks with her students about squirrels during class at Symonds Elementary School in Keene, N.H. on Nov. 7, 2024.
Sophie Park for Education Week
Teaching Profession How These 4 Teachers Go Above and Beyond for Their Students and Colleagues
During Teacher Appreciation Week, we showcase inspiring examples of committed teachers.
Elizabeth Heubeck, May 7, 2025
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8 min read
Notes from students expressing support and sharing coping strategies paper a wall, as members of the Miami Arts Studio mental health club raise awareness on World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, 2023, at Miami Arts Studio, a public 6th-12th grade magnet school, in Miami.
Notes from students expressing support and sharing coping strategies paper a wall, as members of the Miami Arts Studio mental health club raise awareness on World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, 2023, at Miami Arts Studio, a public 6-12 grade magnet school, in Miami.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP/AP
Student Well-Being & Movement Inside the Schools Bringing Therapy Directly to Students
K-12 schools can offer services to students despite a mental health specialist shortage.
Jennifer Vilcarino, May 5, 2025
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8 min read
California principal and NASSP Advocacy Champion award winner Terri Daniels poses with NASSP President Raquel Martinez and NASSP CEO Ronn Nozo.
Terri Daniels, the principal of Folsom Middle School in California, poses with National Association of Secondary School Principals President Raquel Martinez and NASSP CEO Ronn Nozo. Daniels was named the 2025 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year and recognized in Washington, D.C., on April 11.
Courtesy of NASSP
School & District Management Q&A Speaking Up for Students Is Part of This Principal's Job
Terri Daniels, the National Advocacy Champion of the Year, says principals must advocate on behalf of their students.
Olina Banerji, April 18, 2025
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6 min read
Education Secretary Linda McMahon accompanied by Attorney General Pam Bondi, right, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, accompanied by Attorney General Pam Bondi, right, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The pair were announcing a lawsuit against the state of Maine over state policies that allow transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Federal Inside Trump's Full-Force Approach to Ban Trans Athletes and DEI in Schools
Trump’s return to the White House has brought a new era of aggressive investigations of entities that flout the president's orders.
Brooke Schultz, April 16, 2025
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8 min read
Image of students lined up
Robert Neubecker for Education Week
Assessment Grading for Equity: Inside One District’s Big Policy Shift
Districts have been shifting grading to strictly assess student learning without add-ons such as extra credit.
Ileana Najarro, April 14, 2025
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8 min read
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 20, 2025. McMahon said that the U.S. Department of Education would make a "revitalized effort" to pursue federal student privacy law violations for parents' rights, asserting that school "gender plans" that aren't available to parents violate the federal law.
Ben Curtis/AP
Federal McMahon Says Schools With 'Gender Plans' Could Be Violating Federal Privacy Law
The U.S. Department of Education opened investigations under FERPA into two states, alleging violations of parents' rights.
Brooke Schultz, March 28, 2025
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5 min read
An illustration of a large hand lifting a woman as she reaches for a ladder in the sky.
DigitalVision Vectors
Teaching New and Experienced Teachers Can All Benefit From Mentors. How That Looks
Coaching and mentoring can help novice and veteran teachers adapt to changing practice.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 27, 2025
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7 min read
Extended Student Supervisor, Trinell Lewis, speaks with students during basketball practice at Parkway Sports & Health Science Academy on Feb. 21, 2025 in La Mesa, Calif.
Trinell Lewis, the La Mesa-Spring Valley district's extended student services supervisor, speaks with students during basketball practice at Parkway Sports & Health Science Academy on Feb. 21, 2025 in La Mesa, Calif. The district teaches social-emotional skills—like resolving conflicts and handling losses—by emphasizing sportsmanship.
Ariana Drehsler for Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement How One District Uses Sports to Teach SEL and Build Better Teammates
A California district turned to sports to help students build connections with each other and their school.
Lauraine Langreo, March 13, 2025
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7 min read
California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a press conference to announce a lawsuit against the Trump administration over budget cuts to teacher training funds at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building on March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a press conference to announce a lawsuit against the Trump administration over budget cuts to teacher training funds at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building on March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times via TNS
Law & Courts 8 States Sue Trump Administration for Cuts to Teacher-Training Grants
Lawsuit claims Trump’s education cuts will worsen teacher shortages in STEM, special ed, and bilingual programs.
Jaweed Kaleem, March 7, 2025
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6 min read
Clayton Hubert, the K-12 art teacher in Lamberton, Minn., speaks with students during art class on Jan. 16, 2025. Like many educators, he has to manage a constant slew of interruptions—like next-door construction—while teaching.
Clayton Hubert, the K-12 art teacher in Lamberton, Minn., advises students during an art class on Jan. 16, 2025.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
Teaching Teachers Cope With Endless Distractions
From construction noise to natural disasters, teachers work to keep students focused through distractions.
Sarah D. Sparks, Ileana Najarro & Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, March 4, 2025
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7 min read
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