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Category: Education K-12

African Americans
Cecil Egbele

Bakersfield College Celebrates Juneteenth with ‘Freedom, Family and Fellowship’ Event

Hundreds gathered at Bakersfield College on June 17 to commemorate Juneteenth, the holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States. Hosted by the Bakersfield College African American Initiatives, alongside the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce and the NAACP, the free public event brought together a diverse cross-section of Kern County over a shared breakfast to honor a pivotal chapter in American history.

Cecil Egbele June 24, 2026
Bakersfield
News Observer

California Birth Rate Falls Below “Replacement Level”

California’s birth rate has fallen to its lowest level on record, dropping well below the threshold needed to maintain population growth and signaling a major demographic shift that could reshape the state’s economy, schools, workforce and political influence in the decades ahead.

News Observer June 23, 2026
Bakersfield
News Observer

Doctors Seeing More Cases of Preventable Childhood Illnesses

Doctors across the United States say they are treating children for illnesses that routine vaccinations once made increasingly uncommon, raising concerns that years of declining immunization rates are beginning to reverse decades of public health progress.

News Observer June 23, 2026
African Americans
News Observer

Rams Rookies Lend a Hand in Watts Ahead of Juneteenth

The Los Angeles Rams continued their longstanding commitment to Southern California communities as members of the team’s 2026 rookie class spent part of the offseason giving back in Watts.

News Observer June 16, 2026
African Americans
News Observer

COMMENTARY: Joy of Educating Black Boys

In this op-ed, Saint Paul Public Schools assistant principal Richard D. Terrell reflects on the joy of educating Black boys, pushing back against narratives focused only on struggle, and calling on educators, parents, mentors, and community leaders to celebrate Black boys’ brilliance, build relationships rooted in care, and create environments where they can thrive.

News Observer June 2, 2026
African Americans
News Observer

OP-ED: When Life Gives Us Lemons, We Build Institutions

Since January, I have been exploring and writing about school choice options in Atlanta, Mississippi, and Louisiana. I’ve focused specifically on schools committed to empowering Black students and families. Southern Lab was the first stop on this journey but the last story I decided to publish.

News Observer May 18, 2026
Bakersfield
News Observer

Midweek Magic: How Sloss Furnaces Brings History to Life for Students

If you think Sloss Furnaces is only a place to visit on special occasions, here’s a little insider knowledge: Every Wednesday, the historic site comes alive with the energy of students discovering Birmingham’s roots in a hands-on, unforgettable way.

News Observer April 28, 2026
Arts & Culture
News Observer

Miss Fashionetta 2026, Mr. Gent 2026 Crowned at Bakersfield Scholarship Gala

Eight Kern County high school students were honored for leadership, academic achievement and community service during the 2026 Miss Fashionetta and Gents Program in Bakersfield, where Madisynn Brown and Abdur Clark were crowned this year’s top honorees. The longstanding initiative continues to invest in youth through mentorship, scholarships and personal development.

News Observer April 13, 2026
African Americans
News Observer

Sen. Weber Pierson Bill Takes Aim at Early Math Gaps in California Classrooms

Senate Bill (SB) 1067, introduced in February by Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson (D-San Diego), seeks to close California’s racial achievement gap in education by requiring universal screening and early identification of math difficulties for students in kindergarten through second grade.

News Observer March 24, 2026
African Americans
Cecil Egbele

Curran High Students Celebrate 100 Years of Black History Through Music, Dance, and Spoken Word

The morning of Feb. 24 felt more like a festival than a school day. Curran Middle School threw open its doors to celebrate Black History Month with a program that was part showcase, part history lesson, and entirely community-built. Under the theme “Celebrating 100 Years of Black History,” students, teachers, and local organizations filled the campus with performances, cultural activities, and a shared sense of purpose that extended well beyond the classroom.

Cecil Egbele March 10, 2026
African Americans
News Observer

My Head Start Success Story

To call 1965 consequential in American history is an understatement. The year delivered a series of tipping points that urged the nation’s conscience to move closer to reaching its ideals. 

News Observer March 10, 2026
Bakersfield
News Observer

Family Childcare Homes Face Enormous Hurdles

Shalicia Jackson, also known as Shay, has done almost everything there is to do in early childhood education. Jackson has been an assistant childcare teacher, a lead teacher, a Head Start coordinator, a family advocate, and a social worker in public schools. She has worked in nonprofits and at the Durham Partnership for Children in North Carolina, training teachers to better support young children.

News Observer April 22, 2025
Education K-12
News Observer

Op-ed: Inglewood Unified School District’s Vision for Stronger Schools and a Brighter Future

At the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD), we are reinventing education and improving school buildings to better serve our students. While the district must respond to fluctuating enrollment numbers, this initiative is part of our work to create stronger schools and a better learning environment that will benefit students, families, and the community for years to come.

News Observer March 25, 2025
Bakersfield
News Observer

Trump Moves to Dismantle Education Department

The Trump administration is preparing to issue an executive order directing newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education. While the president lacks the authority to unilaterally shut down the agency—requiring congressional approval—McMahon has been tasked with taking “all necessary steps” to reduce its role “to the maximum extent permitted by law.” The administration justifies the move by claiming the department has spent over $1 trillion since its 1979 founding without improving student achievement. However, data from The Nation’s Report Card shows math scores have improved significantly since the 1990s, though reading levels have remained stagnant. The pandemic further widened achievement gaps, leaving many students behind.

News Observer March 11, 2025