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.
