California

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in California
Illustration by Nicole Xu showing a very young EL boy scribbling over an assessment test with a swirly white circle of confusion around his head.
Nicole Xu for Education Week
English Learners How One State Is Identifying English Learners Early—Without Misclassifying Them
California is replacing formal pre-K English screeners with age-appropriate tools to prevent misidentification.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, September 21, 2026
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7 min read
Maria Raine, center, holds a photo of her son, Adam Raine, while listening to speakers between Assemblymembers Josh Lowenthal, left, and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, on Sept. 10, 2026, in Sausalito, Calif.
Maria Raine, center, holds a photo of her son, Adam Raine, while listening to speakers between Assemblymembers Josh Lowenthal, left, and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, on Sept. 10, 2026, in Sausalito, Calif. Adam died by suicide last year, after being “coached” by a chatbot. A new set of laws in California aim to protect children from social media and AI chatbot risks.
Jeff Chiu/AP
States New California Laws Aim to Protect Kids From Social Media, AI Chatbot Risks
The laws penalize tech companies for harm to kids and let families opt out of school laptops.
The Associated Press, September 11, 2026
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3 min read
On off button on a tech background.
Getty
Artificial Intelligence AI Is Working Its Way Into Everything. Can School Districts Really Ban It?
It’s very difficult—maybe even impossible—to turn off generative AI for entire school districts.
Alyson Klein, September 9, 2026
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4 min read
A student uses Ed, a new district-developed Artificial Intelligence-assisted "learning acceleration web-based platform that will boost student success and revolutionize how K-12 education is tailored to meet individual needs," during the official launch event at Edward R. Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles on March 20, 2024 .
A student uses Ed, the Los Angeles Unified School District's custom AI platform that later failed, during a launch event at Edward R. Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles on March 20, 2024. LAUSD has now adopted a moratorium on student AI use. New York City schools have banned AI-powered tools for elementary and middle school students, meaning the nation's two largest districts have adopted major restrictions on student AI use.
Christina House/Los Angeles Times/TNS
Artificial Intelligence LAUSD Adopts Moratorium on Student AI Use, Another Move to Limit Classroom Tech
The nation's second-largest district is pausing student use of generative artificial intelligence.
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, September 3, 2026
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3 min read
CLOVIS, CA MAY 30, 2026: Transgender athlete AB Hernandez, center, competed in three qualifying events at the CIF State Track Championship in Clovis, CA on May 30, 2026. Hernandez placed first in qualifying for the long jump on Friday. Hernandez competes in the finals on Saturday in the high jump, long jump and triple jump.
Transgender athlete AB Hernandez, center, competed in three qualifying events at the CIF State Track Championship in Clovis, Calif., on May 30, 2026. The Trump administration sued California over its policy allowing transgender girls to compete on girls' athletic teams. A judge has dismissed that lawsuit.
Tomas Ovalle / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Law & Courts Title IX Doesn't Require Transgender Athletes' Exclusion, Judge Rules
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from the Trump administration alleging California violated Title IX.
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, September 2, 2026
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4 min read
Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, leaves the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building & United States Courthouse as Meta is on trial over social media addiction in Oakland, California, on August 25, 2026. A coalition of US states is seeking around $200 billion in damages against Meta, which they accuse of intentionally designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive for children, in a landmark trial.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, leaves the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Oakland, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2026. Meta, Instagram's parent company, has agreed to a $17 billion settlement with 47 states to end a trial over teens' social media addiction.
Karl Mondon / AFP via Getty Images
Student Well-Being & Movement Meta Reaches $17B Settlement With States Over Teen Social Media Addiction
The deal with 47 states requires Meta to add child-safety measures to Facebook and Instagram.
The Associated Press, August 26, 2026
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4 min read
Long Beach, CA - March 20 : Teacher Monica Alvarado, left, leads activities with staff in the infant class at Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach , a very high-quality child care center in Long Beach on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Long Beach, CA.
Teacher Monica Alvarado, left, leads activities with staff in the infant class at Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach, a very high-quality child care center in Long Beach on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Long Beach, Calif. Head Start programs for early childhood education will no longer promote bilingualism under a proposed rule change.
Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via TNS
Federal Q&A What Head Start's English-Only Rule Could Mean for English Learners
Research shows it's not necessary to lose a home language to learn English.
Ileana Najarro, August 17, 2026
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3 min read
English learner students in Jeremy True's class work on a reading assignment on Nov. 10, 2022, in Mason City, Iowa.
English learner students work on a reading assignment on Nov. 10, 2022, in Mason City, Iowa. Reclassification criteria can affect older English learners' access to advanced coursework.
Abby Koch/Globe-Gazette via AP
English Learners How State Reclassification Rules Impact Long-Term English Learners
Research shows how the reclassification of older English learners in Texas carries varied outcomes.
Ileana Najarro, July 29, 2026
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4 min read
The Los Angeles Unified School District, LAUSD headquarters building is seen in Los Angeles, Sept. 9, 2021. The 1776 Project Foundation targeted in its lawsuit on Tuesday a Los Angeles Unified School District policy that provides smaller class sizes and other benefits to schools with predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or other non-white students. It dates back to 1970 and 1976 court orders that required the district to desegregate its schools.
The Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters building is seen in Los Angeles, on Sept. 9, 2021. The Los Angeles County Office of Education is warning that the district could be insolvent next year.
Damian Dovarganes/AP
School & District Management L.A. Unified School District Faces ‘Severe’ Signs of Insolvency
The Los Angeles Unified School District faces “severe” indications that it will be insolvent by November 2027.
Jaweed Kaleem, Howard Blume, and Kori McNair, Los Angeles Times, July 10, 2026
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5 min read
20260703 AMX US NEWS AFTER NEWSOM COULDNT STOP IT 1 SA
Gov. Gavin Newsom makes a point at the opening of the San Quentin Learning Center in San Quentin, Calif., on Feb. 20, 2026. Newsom has championed a move that will place the California education department under the authority of a governor-appointed education commissioner starting next year.
JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS via TNS
States The Elected Superintendent in This State Will Have Little Power Over Schools
The nation's largest state is the latest to give its governor more power over its schools.
Jennifer Vilcarino, July 9, 2026
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5 min read
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, gives his last May revise in the Swing Space on Thursday, May 14, 2026 , in Sacramento, Calif.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in Sacramento, Calif., on May 14, 2026. Newsom and legislative leaders pushed for a policy passed as part of the state budget that will scale back the authority of the elected state superintendent.
Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via TNS
States The Nation's Largest State Strips Most Power From Elected Schools Superintendent
The state superintendent's authority will transfer to an appointee of the governor starting next year.
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, July 2, 2026
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5 min read
Acting Superintendent Andres Chait at a Los Angeles Unified School District Board meeting in Los Angeles on June 23, 2026 .
Acting Superintendent Andres Chait at a Los Angeles Unified School District Board meeting in Los Angeles on June 23, 2026. LAUSD has named Chait its new superintendent on a permanent basis following Alberto Carvalho's resignation earlier this week.
Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via TNS
School & District Management LAUSD Taps Interim Chief as Superintendent 3 Days After Carvalho's Resignation
Andres Chait has served as a teacher, principal, and regional superintendent in Los Angeles.
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, June 25, 2026
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6 min read
20260622 AMX US NEWS WHAT ALBERTO CARVALHOS RESIGNATION MEANS 1 LD
Alberto Carvalho, then the Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent, listens to parents of students at a Los Angeles high school on March 30, 2022. Carvalho resigned from his position Sunday night under the cloud of a failed AI chatbot initiative and an FBI investigation.
Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG
School & District Management Lessons Learned About Bold Tech Initiatives From the LAUSD Chief's Departure
Bold initiatives can cut both ways, says a leadership expert, sparking achievement gains or falling apart.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, Arianna Prothero & Jennifer Vilcarino, June 23, 2026
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8 min read
Tue., June 23, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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