education

Students walk on a tree-lined road in the middle of a college campus on a rainy morning. One student, in the center of the frame, rides anelectric scooter.

Higher Education

A scholarship for Black California students has to accept white applicants. Here’s why

Students and a right-leaning nonprofit sued UC San Diego for allegedly supporting a scholarship fund for Black students. They cited the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act as evidence to support their case.

By

Adam Echelman

• October 20, 2025

A student wearing a blue shirt with a panda graphic writes notes on a sticky pad while holding an open book in their lap. Their focus is on the page as they balance the book on gray sweatpants, with a black watch visible on one wrist.

K-12 Education

Expect more phonics lessons in California schools under law Newsom signed

The law comes on the heels of a host of other literacy initiatives, including mandatory dyslexia screening and universal transitional kindergarten.

By

Carolyn Jones

• October 20, 2025

Higher Education

Cal State workers are getting a one-time bonus, paid for by a $144 million loan due next year

The $144 million loan will be used to pay for one-time bonuses for faculty and staff.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• October 16, 2025

A close-up view of a student holding a pencil while working on a worksheet in class.

K-12 Education

Student test scores surge, but still lag behind pre-pandemic levels

The Smarter Balanced standardized test results increased for almost every student group and every grade, in every subject.

By

Carolyn Jones

• October 9, 2025

An empty school hallway as pockets of sunlight from nearby windows illuminate the floor in the distance. The walls of the hallway are decorated withh various college pennants, ruffled paper mache balls and other school materials.

K-12 Education

Newsom signs bill to prevent sex abuse in schools

The law requires a database intended to stop teachers facing credible accusations of abuse from quitting and getting rehired at another school, potentially abusing more children.

By

Carolyn Jones

• October 8, 2025

Backpacks hang in wooden cubbies inside an elementary school classroom, with several children in red shirts and khaki pants sitting on the carpeted floor in the background.

K-12 Education

Charlie Kirk fallout hits California schools, where 20 teachers face discipline over posts

California has laws that prohibit employers from firing workers over their political views but employers can restrict speech if it’s disruptive to the workplace.

By

Carolyn Jones

• October 2, 2025

A person stands at a podium in a classroom, speaking to students seated at desks with laptops. A projection screen is visible to the side, displaying presentation slides.

Education

California colleges lost millions in humanities purge. Their projects might not recover

Nineteen California campuses are still missing over $5.2 million in canceled humanities grants. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is issuing millions of dollars in new grants, many of which are in celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

By

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna

• September 25, 2025

Close-up of a person’s face seen through a window, with reflections partially obscuring their features, showing a serious expression and direct gaze.

Education

How LA Unified is trying to protect immigrant families during Trump’s pervasive crackdown

LA Unified Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, himself formerly an immigrant without legal status, has been outspoken in his support of immigrant families.

By

Carolyn Jones

• September 25, 2025

Protesters hold signs during a demonstration, including one that reads “Kill the Cuts, Save Science” in bold white and yellow letters, and another that says “I’d rather be in lab but the NIH cut my funding.”

Education

Federal judge orders 500 health science grants at UCLA restored, rebuffing Trump’s suspensions

UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• September 22, 2025

Two people in a classroom-like setting, one sitting at a table working on a laptop with papers and books around, while the other stands nearby, looking upward with hands clasped.

Higher Education

California faces steepest cuts as Trump ends diversity grants. How one college is faring

As the U.S. Department of Education cuts back on grants to colleges and universities that serve Latino, Asian, Black and Native American students, California will lose millions — including money that will soon get sent to other institutions in swing states and states that voted for Trump in 2024.

By

Adam Echelman

• September 22, 2025