News Briefs | FYI
October 5, 2026
Calif. supt Brawley wins national education award
California Superintendent Darin Brawley has been awarded the prestigious McGraw Prize in Education for leading a remarkable transformation at Compton Unified School District that has become a national model for school improvement.
Brawley and two other educators — Shai Reshef, founder of University of the People, and Michael Webber, professor of mechanical engineering and public policy at the University of Texas at Austin — are being honored for innovative approaches that expand access, open new pathways to learning, and create opportunities for learners around the world.
This year’s winners will each receive an award of $50,000 and a kinetic sculpture by artist Gary Traczyk at a ceremony on Nov. 10 in New York City.
The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education is given each year by the McGraw Center for Education Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and is considered one of education’s most prestigious honors. Prizes are awarded in three categories: pre-K–12 learning, higher education, and lifelong learning.
The recipient of this year’s pre-K-12 learning prize, Brawley has led one of the nation’s most notable examples of sustained district improvement. Since becoming superintendent of Compton USD in 2012, the former classroom teacher has overseen a dramatic rise in student outcomes, with graduation rates increasing from 58 percent to 94 percent and college acceptance rates surpassing 95 percent in a high-poverty district serving predominantly Black and Latino students. Guided by a commitment to student success, Brawley has strengthened instruction, expanded college and career pathways, and forged innovative industry and community partnerships that connect students with opportunities beyond the classroom.
For more than four decades, the McGraw Prize has honored and celebrated leaders whose vision and perseverance have helped education meet society’s most pressing challenges. Established to recognize the often-unsung changemakers driving progress in learning, the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education honors individuals whose work has expanded opportunity, transformed lives, and inspired lasting change across communities and generations.
Bonta: AmeriCorps funding will be fully obligated in 26-27
The Trump Administration has agreed to obligate congressionally allocated AmeriCorps funds under the terms of a settlement announced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta last month.
Bonta, who is co-leading a coalition of 23 attorneys general and two governors, said the settlement stops the Trump Administration from again attempting to dismantle AmeriCorps without warning.
AmeriCorps is an independent federal agency tasked with engaging Americans in meaningful community-based service that directly addresses the country’s educational, public safety, and environmental needs.
The settlement resolves a multistate lawsuit brought in April 2025 after the Trump Administration made repeated attempts to gut AmeriCorps. Previously, as a result of the lawsuit, the Trump Administration was forced to reinstate nearly $400 million in terminated AmeriCorps programs and agreed to release over $184 million in funds to service programs in California and across the country. This settlement ensures these protections continue through Fiscal Year 2026-27.
“AmeriCorps volunteers represent the best of who we are as a country,” said Bonta, in a Sept. 10 news release. “Today’s settlement ensures AmeriCorps volunteers and the communities they serve have certainty that these vital volunteer programs will continue without disruption in the upcoming service year, extending the relief we previously secured in court. I’m proud to have worked with states across the nation in protecting this vital service program.”
As part of the settlement, the Trump Administration commits to obligate all FY 2026-27 congressionally allocated AmeriCorps funds by Sept. 30, 2026. The Trump Administration further stipulates that AmeriCorps has no intention of engaging in mass layoffs or program terminations for FY 2026-27, and is required to notify the coalition with at least 30 days’ notice if it intends to undertake any mass terminations of AmeriCorps staff or volunteer programs.
Newsom signs laws providing online protections for children
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed 13 new bills into law that strengthen protections for children online and while using artificial intelligence.
The landmark new laws, which were signed Sept. 10, create the strongest safeguards for companion chatbots in the nation, prohibit social media platforms from offering addictive features to users under 16, and expand privacy protections for children.
With his signature on these bills, Newsom said California is continuing its leadership in creating strong safeguards on emerging technology, which is being replicated by states throughout the U.S.
“Our children’s safety deserves to be at the center of every conversation about technology. As innovation moves faster our protections must keep pace,” Newsom said, in a news release. “Today’s legislation makes clear that California will not stand by while unregulated technology puts our children at risk. Innovation comes with responsibility and protecting our children comes first.”
Among the package of bills signed that day were laws that:
Create chatbot regulations — “Adam’s Law” (SB 1119) requires robust protections around companion chatbots for children, including crisis protocols in the case of suicidal ideation, parental controls, and notifications should a child disable safety settings. The bill is also the first in the country to require companies to conduct independent child safety audits and annual risk assessments. The law is named after Adam Raine, a California teenager who died in 2025 after ChatGPT coached him to end his life.
Ban addictive features on social media platforms — AB 1709 prohibits social media companies from providing users under the age of 16 with addictive features such as autoplay and algorithmic feeds based on user history and profile.
Protect kids from exploitation and abuse — Expands the scope of child sexual exploitation to include any digitally altered or AI-generated matter that depicts a person under 18 engaged in an act of sexual conduct.
Strengthen privacy protections for kids — Protects kids from targeted advertising and regulates the use of K-12 pupil data in AI systems.
FYI
Apply for Green Ribbon Schools recognition
LEAs can honor their environmental literacy and sustainability efforts while spotlighting replicable best practices through the CDE California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) recognition program. Starting the application process offers a fantastic opportunity for schools to gain recognition. Join the ranks of 143 public schools, 53 school districts, and three county offices of education across the state that are leading the way in whole-school sustainability. Eligible award recipients include school districts, county offices of education, kindergarten through grade 12 public and private schools, and early education centers. Interested applicants should first complete the 2026–27 Application Interest Survey available at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/greenribbonprog.asp. The survey and the online application period will close at noon on Nov. 9. For questions, contact the CA-GRS team at greenribbonschools@cde.ca.gov.
Schools can receive free inhalers through program
Albuterol inhalers and disposable spacers are now available for free to California public TK–12 schools through the School Albuterol Access Initiative. The same products are also available at a discount to California private schools. This program is designed to ensure schools have what they need to respond quickly and confidently when someone on campus experiences respiratory distress. Whether you are setting up a stock albuterol program for the first time or refreshing your annual supplies, the steps are simple, and everything is already prepared for you. Through these free resources, your team can be fully equipped and ready to support students’ health and safety. Find info at calrx.ca.gov/albuterol.