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San Benito County Historical Society
Listed under: History
From CalMatters...
Trump Canceled Millions in California School Grants. The State Is Suing to Reclaim the Money
Schools had until March 2026 to spend remaining COVID relief money. The U.S. Department of Education cut those funds, amounting to about $200 million for California K-12 schools.
Wide School Disparities Persist 54 Years After California’s Landmark Funding Decision
In 1971 California’s Supreme Court issued one of its most important and far-reaching decisions, declaring that the state’s system of financing public schools — primarily via locally levied property taxes — was unconstitutionally unfair.
How We’re Helping Students Spot Violations at California Career Colleges
It’s hard to find the disciplinary history of for-profit colleges regulated by California. CalMatters is making it easier.
Fight Over Phonics: Will California Require the ‘Science of Reading’ in K-12 Schools?
Nearly 60% of third graders aren’t reading at grade level. A new bill would require schools to use a phonics-based approach to teach students
California’s Schools Chief Has a $200,000 Salary and a Side Gig
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has regularly worked side jobs at Bay Area nonprofits to earn extra income because he says the state pay is insufficient.
Inside a $17 Billion Maintenance Backlog Plaguing California’s Universities
Infrastructure issues at California’s public universities are hindering students and faculty’s ability to learn and work on campus. Lawmakers and system leaders are hoping more state support can help them bring down the $17 billion price tag to fix their academic buildings.
No Need to Apply: Cal State Is Automatically Admitting High School Students With Good Grades
More than 17,400 high school seniors last fall got the sweetest news any anxious student can get: Congratulations, because of your high school GPA, you’re automatically admitted to one of 10 California State University campuses of your choice — and they’re all relatively affordable.
Applying for CalFresh Food Aid Is Complicated. California Colleges Are Trying to Make It Easier
Across California, only one in five eligible college students receive CalFresh due to complicated requirements and an arduous application process. With two-thirds of students experiencing food insecurity, many campuses have started helping them apply for CalFresh.
Rural California Schools and Roads Lose Millions in Federal Funding After Latest Cuts
For the last century, the money has gone to counties with large amounts of federal land that can’t be taxed. Congress failed to include it in the upcoming budget.
Parents Can’t Figure Out How California Schools Are Doing. Newsom’s Plan to Fix That Stalls
In 2019, his first year in office, Gov. Gavin Newsom launched the Cradle-to-Career Data System, a new state entity that aims to track students’ progress from preschool through employment. The data system was supposed to release its first public dashboard last spring.
Schools in This California Town Won Acclaim for Their Pandemic Comeback. How They Did It
Some of California’s most acclaimed schools right now aren’t in elite suburbs or wealthy urban enclaves. They’re in a small city in the San Joaquin Valley, an outpost on Highway 99 surrounded by almond trees and orange groves.
Students Call on California Colleges to Protect Campuses From Immigration Enforcement
After the Trump administration threw out policies dating back to 2011 limiting immigration arrests at “sensitive locations,” California colleges and universities are providing resources to support students, but can’t stop immigration enforcement from entering public spaces. Some advocates say more must be done.
California Wants More Kids in Bilingual Classes — But Won’t Spend Enough to Expand Them
Just one bill invests in bilingual education programs and its focus on instructional materials is a far cry from the systemic change advocates have called for.
California, Other States Sue to Halt Massive Layoffs at U.S. Department of Education
Under Trump’s directive the Department of Education laid off half its staff. The lawsuit argues Trump has no authority to make such drastic changes.
From Local News Matters...
‘We’re Out Here Not Getting Paid’: UC Workers Strike Amid Contract Negotiation Stalemate
University of California laboratory technicians, information technologists, museum and health care workers went on strike Wednesday to protest what they say are staffing shortages and other grievances.
California’s Fund to Build Student Housing Runs Dry — Leaving Community Colleges in the Lurch
Feather River College is still reeling from the 2021 Dixie Fire, which destroyed hundreds of homes in the surrounding community and warped the housing market. The college is one of many schools that have tried — and failed — to secure state grants to build more student housing.
From EdSource...
California Extends State Financial Aid Deadline Until April 2
California is giving students more time to apply for college aid due to a drop in completed applications.
Trump Deportation Threats Reduce School Attendance
As the setting for John Steinbeck’s 1950s classic “East of Eden,” Salinas has long been known as a working-class, farming community. Nestled between two mountain ranges and located a few miles inland of Monterey Bay, the city’s geographic location lends itself a beautiful, serene setting.
‘A Step Backwards’: How Federal Threats to DEI Are Impacting California Schools
California schools are grappling with the U.S. Department of Education's letter requiring them to scrap their DEI programs.
How Trump’s Drastic K-12 Plans Will — And Won’t — Change California Schools
Despite Trump’s plans, federal funding is a small part of California’s education budget and the state oversees curriculum.
California Schools Still Fall Behind Despite Big Increases in Spending
As academic researchers continue to explore what happened to public education during and after the COVID19 pandemic, they are confirming the harsh reality of decline in such basic skills as reading and mathematics.
CTA Chapters Band Together to Leverage Districts for Higher Pay, Smaller Classes, More Resources
The California Teachers Association's "We Can't Wait" campaign plans to use the power of 32 union chapters to increase pressure on school districts to raise salaries, increase staffing and add resources for students.
Federal Judge Dismisses Case Claiming Community College Diversity Policies Infringe on Academic Freedom
Plaintiffs claimed that being evaluated on their commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility principles is unconstitutional and has a chilling effect on their free speech rights.
From Los Angeles Times...
More CSU Budget Cuts Proposed
Struggling with prior cuts, California State University calls latest proposed budget cuts unacceptable. Read on to learn more.
Will New Bond Funds Be Enough to Rebuild LA Schools — And All of California’s Other Crumbling Schools?
Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.
Fact Check: Did Gavin Newsom Really Help Create 625,000 New Job Opportunities in California?
In 2018, Newsom promised to add 500,000 new apprenticeships in the decade after taking office. The state is making progress, but how much depends on the definition of “apprenticeship.”
Small California Schools Brace for Layoffs as Congress Slashes Funding for Rural Education
Federal funding for rural schools goes to 39 California counties. School districts in those communities consider the money a lifeline.
Can California Keep ICE Away From Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom
California legislators want to limit deportation actions at schools, but they can’t ban immigration officials.
Why Income and Tense Politics Are Limiting Access to Civics Classes in California
All high school students are required to take civics, but a lack of money can limit opportunities. And in some communities, parent objections pressure teachers to avoid certain topics.
California Workforce Fund Targets Programs Solving Problems
Child care centers throughout California struggled to find people with the right credentials to look after their babies, toddlers and preschoolers. At the same time, many people who wanted to become early childhood educators faced difficulties in earning the credentials.
Here’s How California Plans to Get Millions of Adults Without College Degrees Into Better Jobs
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Master Plan for Career Education” seeks to help the nearly 7 million adults in California who lack college degrees by giving them college credit for their work experience and by changing the requirements on some state jobs.
How CA Ban on Bilingual Education Still Hurts Schools
It has been eight years since California voters repealed a 1998 law directing public school districts to essentially eliminate their bilingual programs. But the fallout from the state’s vacillating history of bilingual education has led to California falling short of providing a quality education not only to non-English speakers but also to students who want to be bilingual.
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