Podcast Category: GIA Education Report

Welcome to the GIA Education Report. With the latest in Southern California education news, I’m Alyssa Silva.   

The Supreme Court will hear a case challenging a 2022 federal rule that streamlined student loan forgiveness for borrowers whose schools closed or engaged in misconduct. The rule aimed to clarify eligibility and allow group claims, but a lower court blocked it, making forgiveness harder to access. While the case moves forward, borrowers can still apply, though no claims are being processed. Payments must continue for now, but successful applicants may qualify for refunds and full discharge once the case is resolved, likely by June 2026.  

In other news, two elementary schools in the San Bernardino City Unified School District are being recognized by the California Department of Education for outstanding achievement. Ramona-Alessandro earned the California Distinguished School Award for the first time, while Palm Avenue earned it for the third time. The award honors schools that are effectively closing achievement gaps and demonstrating strong academic performance, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Eighteen SBCUSD schools have received this award since its inception in 1985.  

On July 1, California will officially retire the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment and replace it with a new literacy performance assessment. The updated test places greater focus on foundational reading skills such as phonics and decoding, and allows teacher candidates to demonstrate their instructional skills through lesson planning, video submissions, and written reflections. The shift aims to reduce entry barriers for new teachers and better align with current evidence-based literacy standards. It’s part of a broader statewide effort to improve reading outcomes, which includes revised teaching expectations and mandatory K–2 reading screenings.  

UC Riverside is moving forward with plans to build a teaching hospital and outpatient center to address the Inland Empire’s physician shortage, one of the most severe in the state. The region has far fewer primary care providers and specialists per capita than the California average. Without its own hospital, UCR’s medical students have completed their training at other facilities, often leaving the area for residencies. The new project will expand access to care, increase residency slots, and help retain physicians trained in the region, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. 

To close this report, we spotlight Jesse Cuba, a senior in A.B. Miller High School’s two-year Career Technical Education aviation program. He recently completed his first solo flight in a Cessna 152 at Cable Airport, just ten hours into training, and is on track to earn his private pilot license this summer. The program combines classroom study, flight simulators, and mechanics instruction, with successful alumni now working as flight instructors and mentors. It’s a standout pathway that equips students with hands-on experience and strong career readiness in aerospace. 

And that’s this week’s GIA Education Report; I’m Alyssa Silva. 

Welcome to the GIA Education Report. With the latest in Southern California education news, I’m Alyssa Silva. 

The U.S. Department of Education has announced a $60 million increase in funding for the Charter Schools Program (CSP) for fiscal year 2025, bringing the total budget to $500 million. This funding boost aims to support the expansion and development of high-quality charter schools nationwide. Additionally, the Department introduced the Model Development and Dissemination Grant Program, designed to identify and share effective practices from innovative charter schools. This program aims to promote the sharing of strategies that have proven successful in fostering excellence within charter schools, enabling educators and school leaders nationwide to benefit from these approaches.  

In other news, Redlands Unified School District celebrated cultural pride and student achievement at its annual Multicultural Fair. Despite the year’s first triple-digit heat. Hosted at Citrus Valley High School, the event brought families together through student performances, food, cultural exhibits, and a sensory room for children. Organized by the Family and Community Engagement team, the fair spotlighted “Cultural Connections,” including students earning state seals of biliteracy in over 19 languages. This celebration underscores RUSD’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that values and respects the rich cultural backgrounds of its students and community. 

This week, several major Inland Empire school districts announced that no teachers will face layoffs for the 2025–26 academic year. Districts such as Riverside Unified, Redlands Unified, and Moreno Valley Unified successfully avoided job losses through strategic planning and internal reassignments. Additionally, Chino Valley and Corona-Norco Unified School Districts reported issuing no layoff notices at all. This marks a significant shift from previous years, providing much-needed stability for educators and students across the region. 

Cultural graduation celebrations are continuing at many California colleges, even as the Trump administration’s anti-DEI directives threaten such programs. Students and educators say these affinity events, honoring racial, ethnic, LGBTQ+, and other identity-based groups—offer community, pride, and recognition beyond traditional commencements. Supporters argue the ceremonies are inclusive and essential, not discriminatory. The administration’s actions have prompted concern over the future of these events, which are seen as critical spaces of belonging and affirmation for diverse graduates.  

To close this report, we spotlight Anthony Segura, a preschool inclusion teacher at Edward Hyatt World Language Academy in the San Jacinto Unified School District, who has been named one of Riverside County’s 2026 Teachers of the Year. Segura is recognized for his commitment to inclusive education, supporting students of all abilities through engaging, personalized instruction. He now advances to compete for the 2026 California Teacher of the Year award. 

And that’s this week’s GIA Education Report, I’m Alyssa Silva. 

Welcome to the GIA Education Report. With the latest in Southern California education news, I’m Alyssa Silva. 

The Trump administration is ending $1 billion in federal grants for school-based mental health programs, originally funded under a 2022 bipartisan gun violence law. The Education Department says the programs conflicted with civil rights law and fairness standards, citing concerns over DEI-related hiring practices. While current funding will expire after this year, the administration says it will restructure future efforts to support student behavioral health without what it calls (quote) “discriminatory approaches.”  

In other news, President Trump’s proposed 2026 education budget would cut $12 billion in federal education funding, eliminating programs for English learners, migrant students, teacher preparation, and adult education. While funding for Title I and special education would be maintained, programs like Upward Bound, GEAR UP, and federal work-study are being looked at. The administration argues these cuts restore state control and reduce federal overreach, but education advocates warn they could widen achievement gaps, disrupt teacher pipelines, and undermine supports for low-income and immigrant communities. The proposal now heads to Congress for debate.  

California lawmakers advanced a new compromise bill aimed at improving early reading instruction statewide. Assembly Bill 1454, which earned unanimous support in its first committee hearing, would align teacher training and textbook selection with evidence-based literacy practices for TK-8 students. The bill received backing from the California Teachers Association after months of negotiation and will include guidance for English learner needs. If approved, the bill could lead to increased transparency on reading outcomes and teacher training participation as state leaders track progress across districts. 

A team of students from College of the Desert took first place at the 2025 Inland Empire California Mayors Cup, a regional cybersecurity competition aimed at preparing the next generation of digital security professionals. Team “Tom and the Jerries” outperformed peers from across the region in the three-hour challenge, which was designed to expand access to cybersecurity careers and address a statewide workforce shortage. Several other COD teams placed in the top 10, highlighting the college’s growing strength in technology education and workforce readiness.  

To close this report, we highlight Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus breaking ground on its first state-funded building — a $79 million student services center that will significantly expand academic, wellness, and career support for its growing student body. Funded through the 2022 state budget, the new facility will include tutoring and advising services, a library, health and wellness centers, food services, and a cross-cultural center. Designed to support up to 4,000 full-time students, the project marks a major step in the campus’s evolution from a locally supported site to a fully developed CSU campus serving the Coachella Valley. 

And that’s this week’s GIA Education Report, I’m Alyssa Silva. 

Welcome to the GIA Education Report. With the latest in Southern California education news, I’m Alyssa Silva.   

Three federal judges have blocked or delayed parts of the Trump administration’s effort to withhold Title I funding from schools with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The rulings stem from lawsuits by education and civil rights groups who argue the administration’s directives violate constitutional rights and are too vague. One judge granted a preliminary injunction, finding the administration failed to clearly define what constitutes a DEI program or when it would violate federal law, allowing legal challenges to proceed.  

In other news, California issued 18% more teaching credentials last school year than the year prior, offering a positive sign amid ongoing teacher shortages. Over 17,000 educators earned preliminary or clear credentials, but experts warn the gains may be fragile due to falling enrollment in preparation programs and uncertainty over federal and state funding. While credentialed hires are rising, the state still faces shortages in critical areas like math, science, and special education, and districts continue to rely heavily on emergency permits and intern credentials to fill classrooms.  

 The Trump administration has issued an executive order challenging the use of racial disparities as evidence of discrimination in school discipline, arguing that equity-based policies threaten student safety. The move targets California’s longstanding efforts to address racial gaps in suspensions and expulsions through initiatives like the School Dashboard and defiance suspension bans. While legal experts say the executive order is unlikely to immediately impact state policy, it signals a broader push to reshape how civil rights protections are enforced in education. 

The San Bernardino County School Boards Association and the County Superintendent of Schools have announced the 2025 Spring Awards recipients, recognizing outstanding contributions to education across the region. Honorees include volunteers, education partners, and longtime education leaders who have expanded access, strengthened programs, and empowered student success. Recipients were celebrated at the annual Spring Awards Ceremony, highlighting the vital role of community partnerships and leadership in advancing education countywide. Learn more about the award recipients at https://www.sbcss.net/news.  

To close this report, we highlight three outstanding high school seniors. The Riverside County Office of Education recently hosted its first Student of the Year event for the Corona-Norco Unified School District, recognizing three seniors for their resilience and academic achievement. Honorees Stephen Kalani King III, Niaomy Lewis, and Berlin Lila Rivera each overcame significant personal challenges to pursue their college and career goals. Stephen, who led the UNITY club at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, plans to study psychology at Cal Poly Pomona. Niaomy, who earned three associate degrees while in high school, will attend California State University, San Marcos to major in physics. Berlin, a first-generation college student and the eldest of five siblings, will begin her journey toward becoming a teacher at Riverside City College. Each student was awarded a $2,500 scholarship to support their next steps in higher education. 

And that’s this week’s GIA Education Report, I’m Alyssa Silva. 

Welcome to the GIA Education Report. With the latest in Southern California education news, I’m Alyssa Silva. 

Involuntary collections on defaulted federal student loans will resume on May 5, ending a pandemic-era pause that began in March 2020. The U.S. Department of Education will once again begin garnishing wages, tax refunds, and Social Security benefits from borrowers who have been in default for 270 days or more. With over 5 million borrowers in default, this move marks a significant shift in the student loan system, even as legal battles continue over income-based repayment options like the SAVE plan. 

In other news, California has launched the first phase of its statewide Cradle-to-Career data system, aimed at increasing transparency and access to education outcomes. The newly released Student Pathways Dashboard allows users to track key data such as bachelor’s degree attainment by district, time to completion, and post-graduation earnings. By linking data from K-12, higher education, workforce, and social service agencies, the tool is designed to help students and families make informed decisions about education and career planning.  

Harvard University is facing escalating pressure from the Trump administration over its response to antisemitism on campus and its stance on recent federal directives. After publicly pushing back, Harvard saw swift federal retaliation, including a $2.2 billion freeze in research funding, threats to its tax-exempt status, and international student enrollment. While critics view the administration’s actions as an overreach into higher education, supporters argue they are necessary to enforce civil rights compliance. Harvard’s actions have prompted solidarity from other major universities, signaling growing resistance to federal intervention in campus governance. 

San Bernardino Valley College is expanding its Aeronautics department in response to a growing regional demand for aviation professionals, including aircraft mechanics, pilots, and air traffic controllers. New programs in Flight Operations and Air Traffic Control are being introduced, including a pending Associate of Science in Professional Pilot and a newly approved FAA Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program. The department also plans to launch a drone technology program and continues to offer job placement support through partnerships with major airlines. Enrollment is on the rise, with the department expecting to graduate its largest class yet. 

To close this report, we highlight Coyotes on the Horizon—a new partnership between Crafton Hills College and Cal State San Bernardino designed to strengthen transfer pathways for Inland Empire students. The agreement offers priority admission to CHC students completing Associate Degrees for Transfer, streamlines transcript processing, and expands support through the Transfer Success Pathways program. With transfer rates still low statewide, the initiative aims to remove barriers and boost local degree completion, helping more students and families access affordable, high-quality education in the region. 

And that’s this week’s GIA Education Report, I’m Alyssa Silva.