Analysis of School Dashboard points to a need for state-level accountability

The California Department of Education released the latest edition of the California School Dashboard on Nov. 13, touting a “continued increase in academic achievement and graduation rates” and a “reduction in chronic absenteeism.” While some growth was evident, a look at the underlying data reveals a more complicated picture of student performance — one that demands greater scrutiny of the status quo, increased investment in public schools, and a commitment to reducing achievement gaps by accelerating achievement, particularly for the state’s most vulnerable students.  

CSBA webinar covers CAASPP results, advocates for comprehensive state-level plan to increase support for LEAs in their work to close achievement gap

An Oct. 9 webinar hosted by CSBA featured initial analysis of results from the 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and CSBA issuing a challenge to the state to create a state-level plan focused on what state agencies and policymakers will do differently to better support local educational agencies in closing the achievement gap.

Explore the immense value of professional development for student board members

By Amy Christianson Being a student board member is a big deal. You represent thousands of students, bring the student perspective to important decisions and help make sure your peers’ voices are heard. That’s a lot of responsibility — but you don’t have to figure […]

Legislature closes out the first year of the 2025–26 legislative session

Originally scheduled to end at midnight on Friday, Sept. 12, the Legislature waived the rules to allow it to continue deliberations into Sept. 13, not adjourning until mid-afternoon. This year featured a number of contentious education-related measures ranging from nonclassroom-based charter school reform to efforts […]

CSBA-sponsored legislation continues to see success

July 18 marked the second house policy committee deadline where, predominantly, the Assembly policy committees heard Senate bills, and the Senate policy committees heard Assembly bills. Typically, the houses apply greater scrutiny to the opposing house’s legislation. The Legislature has begun its four-week summer recess […]

What the Big Beautiful Bill’s passing means for education

By narrow margins last week, the Senate and House both approved the final version of HR 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that enacts the President’s domestic agenda which includes making permanent the 2017 tax cuts, increasing funding for border control and defense, extending the debt ceiling, and enacting changes to Medicaid, supplemental food programs and other policies.