Andy Thorburn

10/15/2026

📚 ORANGE COUNTY STUDENTS OUTPERFORM STATE AVERAGES IN ENGLISH AND MATH**

New statewide test results released today show Orange County students continuing to outperform California averages in both English language arts and mathematics.

According to the 2025–26 Smarter Balanced Assessment results:

📖 **ENGLISH:** 59.2% of Orange County students met or exceeded state standards, compared with 49.3% statewide.

🔢 **MATH:** 50.2% met or exceeded standards, compared with just 38.4% statewide.

Orange County students have also nearly returned to pre-pandemic achievement levels, with modest improvements in mathematics over last year.

But significant challenges remain. Despite outperforming the state, approximately 4 in 10 Orange County students are not meeting English standards, while nearly half fall short in mathematics.

The results highlight both the progress made by Orange County public schools and the continued need for investments in classroom instruction, early literacy, mathematics and support for struggling students.

📰 Source: Orange County Department of Education, Oct. 15, 2026.



Supporters of Public Education-OC Public School Defenders Hub WAVE

10/14/2026

Who’s qualified to open a school? A new report should alarm us all.

ProPublica and partner journalists established private schools in Arkansas and West Virginia without any experience running a school. Officials never asked about their educational qualifications; West Virginia required only proof of a high school diploma. The investigation exposes serious gaps in oversight as states expand public funding for private education.

As “parental rights” becomes a campaign slogan in local school board races, voters should demand specifics: Will candidates strengthen public schools, protect qualified educators and insist on accountability for every public dollar?

Parents deserve a voice. Children deserve safe, well-funded schools. Diverting education dollars to private institutions with weak oversight threatens the public system our communities depend on.

Ask candidates where they stand. Vote to protect public education.



Supporters of Public Education-OC Public School Defenders Hub WAVE

Read ProPublica’s report:

Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hurdles to open a school are so low, could we do it?

10/13/2026

Why did it take a private citizen to secure meaningful accountability?

The LA Times/Daily Pilot spotlights retired federal bankruptcy Judge Lynne Riddle’s successful lawsuit against Orange County education trustee Mari Barke.

The Orange County district attorney declined to prosecute, while the Fair Political Practices Commission imposed a $3,200 fine. Riddle persisted. The court found Barke’s disclosure failures went beyond minor paperwork errors: she had omitted substantial financial interests and admitted she never read the Form 700 instructions.

The final decision imposed $101,800 in civil penalties, plus attorney fees, finding the FPPC settlement had not fully addressed her conduct.

Financial disclosures help voters identify potential conflicts of interest. Treating serious omissions lightly weakens that protection—and leaves citizens bearing the burden of demanding accountability.

Transparency is a public duty. Enforcement agencies should treat it that way. Read the story: https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2026-10-09/ed-officials-13m-in-hidden-income-exposed-by-retired-newport-judge



Supporters of Public Education-OC Public School Defenders Hub WAVE

10/12/2026

📚 Reading opens minds. Book banning closes doors.

WAVE celebrated reading and the freedom to read this weekend at Arvida Book Co. in Tustin, marking Banned Books Week with former Tustin Mayor Letitia Clark, author of the children’s book “Mommy Is the Mayor.” The Public School Defenders Hub participated.

The gathering comes amid a serious censorship crisis. PEN America recorded nearly 12,000 instances of book bans in public schools during the 2025–26 school year, driven by restrictive state laws and pressure from organized groups and politicians. Books addressing race, racism and LGBTQ+ identities remain frequent targets.

Extremist campaigns to control library shelves threaten children’s opportunities to discover different perspectives and see themselves reflected in stories.

Support local bookstores. Stand with librarians and educators. Speak up against censorship—and keep reading.



WAVE Public School Defenders Hub Supporters of Public Education-OC

10/09/2026

Tomorrow! 10/10, take action to protect our freedom to read.



Supporters of Public Education-OC Public School Defenders Hub WAVE

10/08/2026

Why the recent California charter school bankruptcy is a rare move:

While Highlands Community Charter School recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, formal bankruptcy filings are actually rare for public charter schools.

Experts note that Highlands' recent filing is a highly unusual tactical move used to pause a $180+ million repayment demand from the state and halt a pending shutdown.

Most struggling charter schools dissolve quietly or face charter revocation by their authorizing school districts, rather than entering a courtroom.

A state audit last year faulted the Sacramento County Office of Education and CDE for insufficient follow-through on earlier findings. The state is expected to release the results of an audit reviewing the Orange County Board of Education including its charter school approval process. Stay tuned.



Supporters of Public Education-OC Public School Defenders Hub WAVE

10/07/2026

📢 Big updates are coming to California classrooms! 🎒✨

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a new package of education laws aimed at boosting student success across the state. Here is what you need to know about two major changes heading to K-12 schools:

• Early Math Screening: Schools will now require early skill assessments for students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade to catch learning gaps early and provide targeted support. 📊🔢

• Streamlined English Learner Reclassification: New guidelines will simplify the fluency reclassification process, helping English Learners transition more smoothly and access advanced coursework faster. 🗣️🌍

These updates represent a significant shift toward early intervention and reducing bureaucratic barriers for California students.

Supporters of Public Education-OC WAVE Public School Defenders Hub

10/06/2026

Help strengthen your local public schools!

Join a free, interactive training developed by attorneys for volunteer school board observers. Gain the tools to advocate for accurate, inclusive education and hold local boards accountable.

You’ll learn how to:

Understand key California Education Code requirements.
Push back against harmful extremist actions.
Prepare for and participate effectively in school board meetings.
Recognize board responsibilities under the Brown Act.
File and escalate complaints when boards fail to comply with the law.

Sign up and turn your concern into action!

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/1007982/



Supporters of Public Education-OC Wound Walk OC

Free interactive, attorney-authored training for active volunteer observers What You’ll learn: -Key state Education Code requirements of school boards to ensure accurate, inclusive education for all students -How you can help reduce the proliferation of detrimental extremist local acti...

10/05/2026

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." — Henry Adams

World Teachers' Day 2026 is celebrated today marking the 60th anniversary of the landmark 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

10/02/2026

“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.” ―Joseph Brodsky. Thank you to our coalition partner WAVE for hosting this important event.

Next Saturday, 10/10, take action to protect our freedom to read. Then, head out to knock doors or drop lit in Tustin to re-elect Letitia Clark for Mayor and two school board trustees who value our freedom to read! Dr. Letitia Clark Lynn Davis, School Trustee Jonathan Abelove Public School Defenders Hub