On Nov. 9, CSBA’s Education Legal Alliance (ELA) filed an amicus letter urging the California Supreme Court to hear the case of Legislature of the State of California et al v. Weber (Hiltachk). In a unique procedural process, the petitioners in the case, the state […]
Author: Kimberly Sellery
Legal update: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Under federal and state law, discrimination in employment, including sex discrimination, which is defined to include pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, has long been unlawful. Specifically, federal Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and California Government […]
First cohort evaluation: 21st Century California School Leadership
The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) was established by Senate Bill 75 in 2019 as part of the Statewide System of Support (SSOS). The purpose of 21CSLA is to provide high-quality, equity-centered professional learning for school and district leaders in California. The initiative […]
Commission on Teacher Credentialing evaluates its assessments
The Oct. 12-13 meeting of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) primarily focused on the state’s teaching performance assessments (TPAs), with commission staff presenting an analysis of TPA passing scores between 2018–23. While just an information item, the robust discussion between commissioners and a […]
Free violence prevention trainings available through Project Cal-STOP
Project Cal-STOP is a violence prevention and mental health training program for students and staff in California schools. Launched by the California Department of Education in 2019 with funding from the STOP (Student, Teachers and Officers Preventing) School Violence grants from the U.S. Department of […]
Judge denies dismissal of case involving teachers’ objection to student privacy rights
On Sept. 14, 2023, Judge Roger Benitez of the United States District Court of the Southern District of California issued an order granting two teachers’ motion for preliminary injunction and denying the motions of the Escondido Union School District, the members of the California State […]
CSBA webinar addresses AB 1078 and its immediate impacts
CSBA hosted a webinar, “AB 1078 is more than meets the eye: What governing boards need to know,” on Sept. 28, just three days after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law, which went into effect immediately. The webinar featured experts from CSBA’s Governmental […]
California education leaders work to combat rising antisemitism through education and state initiatives
The California Department of Education on Aug. 23 hosted a roundtable discussion, Education to End Hate: Countering Antisemitism, with influential community and legislative leaders who are working to counter the current rise in antisemitism and hate-related crimes. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while […]
Study finds reduced suspension rates using empathetic discipline program and MTSS
Removing students from the classroom through exclusionary discipline practices like suspensions and expulsions has been proven to negatively impact academic achievement and disproportionately affect specific groups including students of color, low-income children, LGBTQ youth, males and students with disabilities. Those trends proved true on the […]
Grant funding brings more behavioral support services to Orange County students
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in August that overall suicide rates in the United States increased by 2.6 percent from 2021 to 2022 — reaching an all-time high of 49,449 people — but decreased in youth ages 10-24 years old by 8.4 […]









