Category: Education

Professor Briggs: A shield for the vulnerable

Changemaker: Briggs sees her roles online and in the classroom as different
by Lexi Lynn | Posted October 10, 2025
Professor Briggs. Photo by Leslie Layton.

This story by contributor Lexi Lynn is part of ChicoSol’s Changemaker series.

As Chico State students slowly trickle into Lindsay Briggs’ classroom, a Whitney Houston song plays on the overhead speaker, filling the room with the bubbly lyrics of an ’80s hit. A few students first make their way to the front of the classroom to snag a colorful mask from the front table, free to whomever feels inclined to take one. 

A colorful slideshow is pulled up on dual projector screens, the initial slide filled with attention-grabbing graphics and memes. Students pull out their computers as Briggs fades out the ’80s music ambiance and begins the day’s lecture on mental health disorders.  read more

The Hidden Cost of Trump’s Deportation Agenda

‘Education Chaos and Psychological Scarring’
by Peter Schurmann, ACoM | Posted September 9, 2025
Classroom
L.A. Unified Supt. Alberto Carvalho with students in a science classroom. Photo courtesy of American Community Media & LAUSD.

On Aug. 11, masked agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) handcuffed and pointed their guns at a disabled 15-year-old while he waited for his mom to pick him up from school in Arleta, California. On Aug. 8, ICE arrested Benjamin Guerrero Cruz as he walked his dog in Van Nuys, days before the 18-year-old was set to begin his senior year of high school.

These are just two in a string of examples of ICE’s aggressive implementation of the Trump Administration’s mass deportation agenda, an approach experts say is traumatizing kids and families and sending a chill through school communities across the country.

“This back-to-school season, children are facing the terror of wondering if their parents will be there to pick them up,” said America’s Voice Executive Director Vanessa Cardenas during an Aug. 28 virtual briefing. “The usual first day jitters have been replaced by fear.” read more

Public media funding cutback will hurt the North State

PBS affiliate KIXE to lose $845,000
by Leslie Layton | Posted August 1, 2025
KIXE General Manager Rob Keenan took part in storytime on one of his more unusual work days, reading the story “Brick by Brick” to the families that had gathered.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced today its upcoming closure. For decades it has helped support 1,500 locally managed public television and radio stations nationwide.

At the KIXE public television station in Redding, there’s a third-Thursday-of-the month magic. It’s called KIXE Storytime, and children who show up with their parents, grandparents or other caregivers hear a story, take part in a related craft-making activity and enjoy a snack.

Because it’s free of charge, it’s available to families whose activities may be limited by their financial resources. It’s not the kind of program that you might immediately associate with a television station – but, well, this is the “public” in public TV. read more

Pressure on media grows

Journalists worry about their safety, freedom
by Natalie Hanson | Posted July 31, 2025
Demonstrators on No Kings Day in Chico. Photo by Leslie Layton.

The Los Angeles Press Club and investigative reporting network Status Coup in June filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) that describes how journalists have been shot with police rounds, tear-gassed and detained.

According to reporting by the Los Angeles Times, the lawsuit describes “multiple instances of officers firing foam projectiles at members of the media” and “flouting state laws” that restrict the use of certain weapons in crowd control.

This and other such lawsuits are one step journalists are taking to confront growing attacks on press freedom and safety across the country. Although a federal judge has already ordered LAPD to stop firing rubber bullets at journalists, other legal actions have only just begun. read more

Dream Act offers students path to education

California encourages higher education, offering financial aid
by Natalie Hanson | Posted July 5, 2025
Butte College Public Relations Officer Christian Gutierrez.

California’s universities and colleges are the front lines for migrant students who seek support and a pathway to higher education.

Higher education institutions tout California’s Dream Act Application (CADAA) as a lifeline — as pressure grows to protect immigrants in California amid a sweeping and forceful immigration crackdown.

In a recent briefing hosted by American Community Media, panelists shared how students can, under the California Dream Act of 2011, apply for and receive Cal Grants and the California College Promise Grant at community colleges, as well as institutional and state aid at California colleges and universities.

“We are seeing some resistance, what you call a ‘chilling effect’ due to the federal activity” — Christian Gutierrez read more

Chico Unified uses bond money to rebuild

by Natalie Hanson | Posted May 31, 2025
New facilities at McManus Elementary

Chico Unified officials say more than $80 million in taxpayer-approved funds is getting used to address long-known problems at aging schools.

The district is updating or rebuilding most elementary schools, two middle schools and, eventually, both high schools.

Several elementary schools are getting new transitional kindergarten classrooms to prepare for the launch of a new state-mandated TK program for 4-year-olds at the start of the new school year Aug. 19. Those schools are Little Chico Creek, Marigold and Emma Wilson elementaries, and the funding comes from the Measure K bond issue.

“It’s [the TK program] been a challenge for the whole state to implement, but we’re lucky because we have bond dollars,” said Julie Kistle, director of facilities and construction. read more