SBE study sessions cover Portrait of a Graduate and accountability while the board takes action on Dashboard indicators

The California State Board of Education’s (SBE) March 11-12 meeting included two study sessions on topics related to the developing state Portrait of a Graduate/Learner and the role of differentiated assistance (DA) in the Statewide System of Support, as well as the adoption of a Personal Finance Curriculum Guide and changes to several indicators and other factors on the California School Dashboard.

Time is running out to secure federal energy incentives

By Thomas Jackson and Bruce Dickinson Across California, public agencies have invested in energy modernization projects, including solar, battery storage and energy efficiency, to cut operating costs and protect their budgets against rising utility rates. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides substantial tax credits in […]

Highly mobile students need state and local leaders to work together to ensure cohesive support

A new case study from WestEd and the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools examines how state and local policymakers can work together to better support migrant students, those experiencing homelessness, or children involved in the foster care or juvenile justice systems — groups known as “highly mobile youth.”

Supreme Court strengthens parental notification rights for gender transitions

On March 2, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a stay issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Mirabelli v. Bonta, reactivating a lower court order that directs the State of California to refrain from permitting or requiring schools to maintain confidentiality of information about student gender presentation.

U.S. school facilities need vastly increased state and federal funding

Despite local educational agency efforts to ramp up investments in school facilities, the U.S. now faces an annual $90 billion shortfall in school facility funding after years of massive, chronic underinvestment, according to a recent report from the 21st Century School Fund, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and the National Council on School Facilities.

The importance of computer science education in the age of AI

California is among the 17 states that have guidance clarifying that computer science (CS) education is fundamental to artificial intelligence (AI). This is according to the 2025 State of AI + Computer Science Education report, published by Code.org, which includes a state-by-state look at AI education policies and an overview of CS policies, access and participation.

New school safety resource aims to support California’s most marginalized young people

A new toolkit from the Children’s Partnership’s All In For Safe Schools — a California-based campaign bringing together TK-12 nonprofit leaders to support educators in creating safe, welcoming and inclusive learning environments — offers a comprehensive hub designed to help educators implement safe, inclusive practices, with clear “Know Your Rights” guidance.

Celebrating California Arts Education Month

California Arts Education Month, recognized each March, is a time to celebrate, promote and advocate for high-quality arts education. The 2025 Golden Bell Award-winning Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts provides pre-professional training in nine arts disciplines such as costume design, dance, various forms of music, media and theater tech to more than 700 students annually. By combining academic rigor with industry-based instruction, the magnet program prepares students for futures in the arts with A-G coursework, career technical education pathways, portfolios and real-world experience, all while fostering personal growth and well-being.