In the midst of a busy holiday season, glancing ahead to 2025 can seem daunting, but it’s necessary to properly support students, staff and community. January 2025 will be filled with significant developments for California public schools as well as related CSBA events, trainings and resources to help members address these issues.
One possible issue is changes to immigration law, which CSBA is addressing now with an updated version of its 2017 immigration guidance, “Immigration Issues Affecting California LEAs,” to be released on Thursday, Dec. 19. The revised guidance includes implications for schools from legislation passed since 2017, as well as policy changes at the state and federal level in subsequent years. Should developments at the federal level alter the status quo on immigration relative to the impact on California public schools or the responsibilities of governing boards and staff, CSBA will inform the membership through rapid communications offering policy and legal guidance, and an additional revision of the formal guidance document.
Now, here’s an overview of what’s on tap for early 2025:
Budget
The recent run of lean budget years will continue. Gov. Gavin Newsom will release his January Budget Proposal on or around Jan. 10, 2025, marking the official start of budget season, although haggling has been going on behind closed doors for months. CSBA is front and center in those discussions, advocating that:
- California can’t balance its budget on the backs of students
- Any additional funding should go to the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) base
- Growth in expenses that exceeds the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is unacceptable
- This is not the time for new programs or mandates
- Local control should be respected as school district and county boards know their communities best
- A statewide fund or insurance pool is needed as a backstop against financial insolvency or damages stemming from Assembly Bill 218 litigation that inhibit a local educational agency’s ability to support current students
CSBA made these points and more in its annual budget letter to the Newsom Administration and will ask membership to reinforce this messaging during the association’s 2025 Legislative Action Week from March 11-13 (register here).
In the meantime, members can expect these budget-related communications:
- Jan. 10
- Statement from CSBA President Dr. Bettye Lusk in response to the Governor’s January Budget Proposal.
- Detailed analysis of the budget proposal from a public school perspective, developed by CSBA’s Governmental Relations team.
- Jan. 13, 2 p.m. (or the day immediately after the budget proposal is released if that occurs before Jan. 10)
- Webinar featuring CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy and CSBA’s Governmental Relations staff reacting to the budget proposal, answering member questions and charting an advocacy path for the coming months.
Testing and accountability
The State Board of Education’s recently proposed changes to student test score classifications could reduce the public’s ability to accurately interpret results. This is a concerning development, and there are upcoming opportunities to submit public comment on the proposed adjustments. The issue is summarized in this CSBA blog post. Below is the updated timeline, which is still subject to change:
January 2025
- Gather more feedback on SSR descriptors and labels
- The State Board will consider an action item with a few technical edits to the SSR for the 2024–25 cycle that were identified during the 2023–24 cycle
February 2025
- A summary of outreach feedback from December and January will be presented to the State Board of Education
- Any action that comes out of this discussion will go before the State Board in March
March 2025
Proposed changes to the 2025–26 year will be on the State Board’s meeting agenda.
More details on the schedule for taking up proposed changes to the SSR will be released soon by the California Department of Education and the State Board.
Webinars
Curriculum
- Jan. 22, 12 p.m.
- High-Quality Professional Development for Mathematics Instruction — A panel of experts will discuss high-quality professional development for mathematics instruction including examples and community partnerships. Register »
Immigration
- Jan. 23, 10 a.m.
- Webinar featuring CSBA’s Legal, Governmental Relations and Research and Education Policy Development staff reviewing all aspects of immigration policy related to California public schools, with particular attention paid to any potential executive orders issued or legislation passed by the new presidential administration or the 119th United States Congress. Registration link to come in early January.
Policy
- Jan. 28, 11 a.m.
- An Inside Look at the December Policy Update Packet Webinar — CSBA’s District and County Office of Education Legal Services and Policy and Governance Technology departments highlight the December 2024 Update Packet including independent study requirements, attendance recovery programs and ethics training for district/county office board of education members. Register »
Artificial intelligence
- Jan. 29, 10 a.m.
- Ethical AI in Education: Building transparent frameworks for the future — Designed for decision-makers and practitioners, this webinar presented by CSBA’s AI Taskforce provides a roadmap for crafting AI policies that align with organizational goals while safeguarding equity and transparency. Register »
Trainings
Make 2025 the year your local educational agency’s board members and superintendent all become Masters in Governance® (MIG) graduates! Starting in January, in-person sessions in Woodland and Visalia will cover the foundations of effective governance and setting direction; student learning and achievement and judicial review; and school finance.
Additional trainings that take place early in 2025 include alternate in-person and virtual MIG offerings, Orientation for New Trustees (for both school districts and county offices of education), Board Presidents Workshop, Executive Assistant Certification Program and Advanced Governance Skills for Transformative Leadership. There will also be courses for student board members. Sessions on the Brown Act and ethics, as required by Assembly Bill 2158.
