Author

Emma Gallegos, for EdSource

Emma Gallegos covers equity in education and is based in the Central Valley. Emma has spent more than a decade in journalism, having worked at the Pasadena Star-News, LAist and Gothamist before returning to the Central Valley, where she grew up. There, she worked at her hometown paper, The Bakersfield Californian, covering the Kern County education beat. Emma spent a few valuable years in the classroom as a substitute teacher in the Bakersfield City School District. She also comes from a family of educators: her mom is a retired district administrator and her father was a superintendent and professor. She lives in Bakersfield.

Emma's Latest Articles

Federal appeals court pauses ruling on student gender identity disclosure in California

By Emma Gallegos, for EdSource

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California State News

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January 9, 2026

An appeals court panel wrote that it was “skeptical” of a lower court ruling that said California policies violate educators’ and parents’ constitutional rights. The pause means that California school policies aimed at protecting students from being “outed” to parents against their will can remain in effect while the case proceeds. Attorneys representing teachers in the case said they plan to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

After nearly two years, Congress throws rural schools a lifeline

By Emma Gallegos, for EdSource

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News

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December 16, 2025

Despite decades of broad bipartisan support, funding for the rural schools in heavily forested areas program expired in 2023 and was not renewed. The program provided nearly $34 million to California counties in 2024, a lifeline for rural schools without a strong tax base. Students from California traveled to Washington, D.C., to help push the lapsed bill over the finish line.