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.
Author: Admin
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.
Governor’s legislative signing period comes to a close
With time to spare, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued the final outcomes on Oct. 13 for all legislation that reached his desk at the end of the first year of the two-year 2025–26 legislative session. Notably, four CSBA-sponsored measures reached the Governor’s desk, with three signed into law.
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 […]
Back-to-school safety through a policy lens
School safety continues to be a priority for school districts and county offices of education and their governing board members, administrators, students, staff and families. While school safety encompasses a wide range of topics from child abuse prevention and reporting to earthquake emergency procedures to […]
Most CSBA-sponsored bills continue to progress through Legislature
Late on Aug. 29 the Legislature’s respective Appropriations Committees dispensed with their suspense files. Included among the many legislative measures considered by the Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees were several CSBA-sponsored bills.
Navigating opt-out requests in light of Mahmoud v. Taylor
In response to learning that some school districts and county offices of education (COEs) expect a high volume of opt-out requests based on the recent Supreme Court decision, CSBA offers some key considerations for creating opt-out procedures and forms. On July 7, CSBA issued “Policy implications of […]
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.











