Policy and Legislation

September 11, 2019

California students could soon get a Seal of STEM on their diplomas

Some schools may not yet have enough math and science courses to offer a State Seal of STEM.

Sydney Johnson

September 6, 2019

New California vaccine legislation gains Gov. Newsom’s approval after deal reached

California Governor Gavin Newsom agreed to sign legislation that tightens restrictions on medical exemptions that allow students to attend school without all the required vaccinations if lawmakers promise to pass revisions in a second bill.

Diana Lambert

September 6, 2019

Teachers could get paid maternity leave if governor agrees

If the governor signs the bill into law, teachers would receive at least six weeks of paid maternity leave.

Diana Lambert

September 4, 2019

Tighter California vaccination restrictions await Newsom, who wants changes

The bill would allow the state to review a medical exemption if a child attends a school with an immunization rate of less than 95 percent.

Diana Lambert

September 4, 2019

Gov. Newsom, legislative leaders agree on certification for all charter school teachers

California charter school teachers may soon have to get the same background checks and credentials as teachers in regular public schools.

Diana Lambert

August 23, 2019

California proposal requiring ethnic studies for diploma delayed

José Medina will bring back Assembly Bill 331 next year, after there has been time to redraft the controversial ethnic studies curriculum.

John Fensterwald

August 13, 2019

Reforming higher education in California: a bill tracker

Increasing financial aid for California college students among 21 new proposals

Michael Burke

August 9, 2019

California K-12 education bills to watch

Before the end of September, the Legislature will decide on bills that could significantly affect K-12 schools; here's what some of them are.

EdSource staff

June 20, 2019

Quick Guide: What schools and parents need to know about California’s vaccination law

Proposed changes to California's 2015 vaccination law now being considered in the Legislature would limit medical exemptions.

Jane Meredith Adams And Diana Lambert

May 20, 2019

Lawsuit challenges use of restraint, seclusion in California special education school

The guardians of four special education students claim their children were illegally put in restraint holds and secluded.

Diana Lambert

May 9, 2019

California approves new guidance for teaching sex education

The sex education recommendations are part of the state's overall health education framework approved by the board and have generated fierce opposition from conservative religious groups.

David Washburn

April 11, 2019

Efforts to restrict charter school growth in California inch forward in state Legislature

The Assembly Education Committee chaired by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, a former high school teacher, approved legislation that, among other things, would place a cap on charter schools in the state to approximately their current levels and deny the State Board of Education the ability to approve a charter application after being denied by a school district or county office of education.

Louis Freedberg

February 27, 2019

Renewed push underway to expand California's ban on some suspensions

A new bill proposed by state Sen. Nancy Skinner would ban out-of-school suspensions in all grades for student behavior deemed “defiant and disruptive” by school authorities. Advocates hopeful Gov. Newsom will be more receptive than Jerry Brown, who vetoed two previous bills.

David Washburn

January 29, 2019

After eight years, Democrats assume power over education policy in House of Representatives

Rep. Bobby Scott, the new chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, says he will seek bipartisan support for reauthorizing the Higher Education Act.

Louis Freedberg

October 5, 2018

With bill signings, Gov. Brown makes his final mark on California education

A rundown of the governor’s decisions on some of the most-watched education legislation that crossed his desk this year.

David Washburn And John Fensterwald