Changes to California Independent Study Documentation and Staffing Requirements Effective Immediately
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. The 2026 Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill, also known as Assembly […]
Legislative Policy/Advocacy
California P&C Legislative Summary: 2026 Mid-Session
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Keenan. California public entities, particularly school districts, community college districts, and other educational institutions,
Supreme Court Weighs on States Limiting Transgender Participation in Girls’ School Sports (Podcast)
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In this episode of the Let’s Talk podcast, host Sloan Simmons is
Court Rules CPRA’s ‘Promptly Available’ Standard is Flexible, Not Fixed
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In Voice of San Diego v. San Diego Unified School District (2026)
2026-27 Final State Budget Summary
The Legislature approved the final 2026-27 California state budget package on Thursday, July 2, reflecting an agreement between the Governor,
Understanding Educational Rights: Custody Orders, Caregivers, and Special Education (Podcast)
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. Who has the authority to make educational decisions for a student? In
Annual Notice of Parental Rights and Responsibilities Reminders for 2026
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools (LEAs) must annually
Ninth Circuit Clarifies IEP Request Formalities Do Not Limit FAPE Rights
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In L.B. v. San Diego Unified School District (9th Cir. 2026) 168 F.4th 1150,
AB 560 Requires Equal Distribution of Initial Special Education Assessments
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. Assembly Bill 560 (AB 560), which took effect January 1, 2026, requires
California Department of Education Issues Updated Guidance on Gender Identity and Student Records
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. On February 11, 2026, the California Department of Education (CDE) issued a letter
Supreme Court Reinstitutes Permanent Injunction Enforcing Parental Rights to Not be Excluded from Knowledge or Involvement in Student Gender Identity Issues at School
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. As reported in 2025 Client News Brief Number 61, this past December,
School Administrator’s Free Speech Retaliation Claim Fails
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In its recent decision in Thompson v. Central Valley School District No.
ACSA Responds to Governor’s Proposed 2026-27 Budget
ACSA has released its response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed TK-12 education budget for 2026-27. We commend the Governor for
From Absences to Action: Attendance, Truancy, and Special Education Obligations (Podcast)
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In this episode, host Sloan Simmons joins Lozano Smith Attorneys Sarah Garcia and Karina Demirchyan to discuss
Legislature Significantly Increases Statutory Ceiling on Compensation for School Board Members
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. Effective January 1, 2026, the maximum monthly compensation for school board and
Gender Identity, Title IX, and Equal Protection (Podcast)
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In this episode, host Sloan Simmons joins Title IX attorneys Sarah Fama and Sinead McDonough for a
Fact sheet: California’s Golden State Teacher Grant Program
The Learning Policy Institute has published a study, “Strengthening the Educator Pipeline Through Service Scholarships: California’s Golden State Teacher Grant
New Laws Addressing Technology in Schools
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. Two recent bills grapple with modern technology’s pervasive presence and growing
Impact of Mahmoud v. Taylor on California Schools
ACSA surveyed 111 education leaders to understand how the Mahmoud v. Taylor decision, involving opt-out requests based on sincerely held
New Law Enhances Continuity of Special Education for Transfer Students
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. On October 7, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1412,
Update: Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Schools
ACSA surveyed nearly 120 leaders from over 100 California districts to capture how immigration enforcement is impacting students, families, and
California P&C Legislative Summary: 2025 End of Session
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Keenan. The 2025 California legislative session officially concluded on October 13, 2025. Of
New Laws Targeting Antisemitism in Schools Aim to Redefine How Schools Respond to Discrimination
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. On October 7, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 715
Power of One Voice 2025
ACSA’s advocacy in 2025 was guided by a powerful commitment: turning the priorities of our One Voice for Students platform
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum: What School Staff Need to Know About Mahmoud v. Taylor
This fact sheet from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program outlines what schools need to know about inclusive
SB 98 School Policy (Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint USD)
The policy below has been adopted by the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint USD and incorporated into the district’s Comprehensive School Safety Plan.
AB 361 Authorizes “Best Value” Procurement for School District Construction Projects Over $1 Million
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. Assembly Bill (AB) 361 allows school districts to use a “best
California Expands School District Obligations to Protect Students, Families, and Employees from Immigration Enforcement
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. This article was updated on Nov. 19, 2025 to include information
Respiratory Care Board Rules in Schools’ Favor
The Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) approved a regulation that replaces the previous practice of using Licensed Vocational Nurses
Understanding SB 88: Updated FAQS for School Districts
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Keenan. As of July 1, 2025, all California school districts are required to
Critically Conscious Classroom: Mahmoud v Taylor
This episode of ACSA’s Critically Conscious Classroom discusses implications of Mahmoud v. Taylor, the U.S. Supreme court ruling on religious
Religious Opt-Outs after Mahmoud v Taylor
Law firm Atkinson, Andelson, Loyola, Ruud & Romo (AALRR) have compiled a FAQ sheet to provide California educational leaders with
State Guidance on Mahmoud v Taylor
The California Department of Education has developed a resource webpage on Mahmoud v. Taylor guidance, which is updated regularly. Below
ACSA Legislative Lunch Break: Religious Opt-Outs and Legal Landmines for Schools
The July 30, 2025 edition of ACSA Legislative Lunch Break unpacked the Supreme Court’s Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling on religious
Legislature Clarifies Timing of School Impact Fee Collection
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. On June 27, 2025, Assembly Bill (AB) 121 went into effect,
School District Granted Immunity from Liability After Denying Remote Work as a Reasonable Accommodation
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In a recent decision by the California Fourth District Court of
Signed, Sealed, Liable: The Realities of Opinions of Counsel (Podcast)
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In this episode of Lozano Smith’s Let’s Talk podcast, host Sloan
Trump Administration Sues CDE and CIF for Title IX Violations
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. The United States Department of Education (Department) has determined that the
Letter Urging Release of Federal Funds
ACSA and the California School Board Association sent a joint letter July 3 to California Senator Alex Padilla urging his
California Legislature Removes Two School District Surplus Land Act Exemptions
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. As part of Assembly Bill (AB) 130, a sweeping budget trailer
The New Attendance Recovery Policy
The California Partnership for Children and Youth (PCY) has released a brief on recommendations for local educational agencies and expanded
Mahmoud v. Taylor: Supreme Court Affirms Parental Opt-Out Rights in Curriculum Dispute
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. The Supreme Court has held that the parents of elementary school
2025-26 Final State Budget Summary
The state Legislature has passed and sent the final 2025-26 budget to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. The agreement is generally
California P&C Legislative Watchlist For 2025
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Keenan. This briefing details some of the bills we are currently tracking that
District Court Mandates Parental Option to Opt Out of Gender Identity Activities in Buddy Program
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In a decision signed on May 12, 2025, the United States
Ninth Circuit Establishes Preliminary Framework for First Amendment Familial Antiretaliation Claims
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. In DeFrancesco v. Robbins (9th Cir. 2025) 136 F.4th 933, the United States
Annual Notice of Parental Rights and Responsibilities Requirements, Recommendations, and Reminders for 2025
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools should update
Ninth Circuit Remands Case Involving Disclosure of Student’s Gender Identity to Trial Court
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has
Speakers, Singers, and Sashes: Planning for a Successful Graduation Ceremony [PODCAST]
This resource is provided by ACSA Partner4Purpose Lozano Smith. Graduation season is fast approaching and now is the time for
Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Schools
In January, the Trump administration rescinded a longstanding policy that protected schools from immigration enforcement. ACSA surveyed its members to