On June 30, Assembly Bill 181, the 2022–23 omnibus budget trailer bill, was enacted. The bill contains significant revisions to the provisions of the Education Code for Independent Study (Sections 72-79 of the bill). Because the bill is a budget trailer bill, it went into […]
Category: Policy
CSBA examines UTK implementation considerations, insights in new policy brief and webinar
With local educational agencies preparing to create or expand transitional kindergarten offerings in the coming years, CSBA has developed a variety of resources to support these efforts. A new research and policy brief, “Advancing Universal Transitional Kindergarten — Questions for School Board Members,” a corresponding […]
New laws targeting controversial issues already having chilling effect, report finds
A recent analysis of state-level legislation introduced to curtail the teaching of ethnic studies or critical race theory suggests many of the laws are written so vaguely that they may chill a broad range of speech. PEN America, an advocacy group that promotes the protection […]
State audit of local suicide prevention policies finds lack of stakeholder engagement
State law mandates that all school districts, county offices of education and charter schools adopt policy on student suicide prevention, intervention and post-vention after consulting with specified stakeholders. Beginning in the 2020–21 school year, the policy must apply to all grades K–12. A report issued […]
Gov. Newsom vetoes ethnic studies bill, signs Brown Act clarification
September 30 marked the final deadline for Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign or veto all bills sent to his desk during the 2020 legislative session. In the last week of the signing period, the Governor signed legislation related to social media use and the Brown […]
Adopting policy for COVID-19 mitigation during campus reopening
After an extended period of campus closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, state and local leaders are weighing what actions and resources will be needed for schools to physically reopen. As board members and superintendents review guidance issued by CSBA, state agencies and other organizations, […]
Protecting students’ online privacy: Special considerations during distance learning
With school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic having led to the widescale implementation of distance learning, local educational agencies must be vigilant in protecting the privacy of student data that may be gathered electronically. While districts and county offices of education have always had […]
Board policies, without delay
School closures due to the spread of COVID-19 have affected nearly every aspect of school, district and county office of education operations. Under these unique circumstances, governing board members and staff may find that they are consulting their board policies and administrative regulations more often, […]
Board member electronic communications in the virtual world of COVID-19
California’s stay-at-home order and social distancing requirements imposed to maintain the health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic have created a virtual world for most, including governing board members. Given that board members are increasingly, and perhaps solely, using electronic means during this time to […]
Ensuring proper use of district technology loaned to students and staff
School closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have required local educational agencies to find creative ways to implement distance learning districtwide and to address the needs of employees working from home. Districts are doing all they can to convert curriculum to an online or alternative […]