Carolyn Jones
CalMattersCarolyn Jones covers K-12 education forCalMatters, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics, and a JPR news partner.
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Trump withheld about $7 billion in education funds for various school programs nationwide, including about $800 million for California. -
President Trump cut AmeriCorps, laying off over 5,600 of California’s public service workers. Because of a lawsuit, the state’s program can restart, at least temporarily, but schools and disaster relief sites are still reeling from staffing shortages. -
California districts have not received Congressionally appropriated money for after school programs, academic enrichment, English-learner services, teacher professional development and migrant education. -
Special education is shifting to a different federal agency. Advocates fear the loss of expertise will harm students. -
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. -
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 -
Last year California passed a law that prohibits schools from requiring staff to notify parents if a student identifies as transgender. The U.S. Department of Education alleges the law violates parents’ rights. -
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. -
Despite Trump’s plans, federal funding is a small part of California’s education budget and the state oversees curriculum. -
Federal funding for rural schools goes to 39 California counties. School districts in those communities consider the money a lifeline. -
California legislators want to limit deportation actions at schools, but they can’t ban immigration officials. -
New California law prevents schools from requiring staff to notify parents if a student identifies as LGBTQ. It’s in response to some districts requiring staff to notify parents when students identify as a gender other than what’s in their official files.
