With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s introduction of his January Budget, the Legislature has begun 2024–25 budget deliberations. Unlike past years, this budget is influenced heavily by unprecedented circumstances. Due to the severe storms the state experienced during the winter months of 2022–23, both the federal Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board delayed the deadline to submit income tax filing by seven months, from April until November 2023. This delay forced the Governor and Legislature to rely upon revenue projections instead of actual revenues in the adoption of the 2023–24 budget.

It was only after the adoption of the 2023 Budget Act that it was revealed income tax collections fell 25 percent, which, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), “results in an unprecedented prior‑year reduction to the minimum funding requirement for schools and community colleges.” As a result, the Proposition 98 Guarantee for the 2022–23 fiscal year was funded $8 billion above what it should have been. This has created a substantial shortfall within Prop 98, and the budgetary actions required to bridge this gap are complex and raise serious concerns about the future of Prop 98 funding levels.

From April 1 to May 3, CSBA is inviting members from across the state to submit proposals that will spark important conversations and shape the future of public education in California.

Share your expertise in two ways:

1. Workshops: Dive deep into specific themes or challenges featuring practical applications, strategies and programs that your local educational agency has used to address specific challenges, facilitated discussions and collaborative learning opportunities.
2. Table Talks: Ignite discussions on emerging topics and critical trends in a dynamic, small-group setting.

With rates of anxiety, depression and self-harm on the rise nationally among youth and a shortage of mental health providers, the new applications — housed under the umbrella name Behavioral Health Virtual Services Platform — intend to help meet the increasing demand for services seen across the state.

To address campus risks, prepare for emergencies and create a safe, secure learning environment for students and staff, districts are required to develop and maintain a comprehensive school safety plan.

The United States Supreme Court hears a limited number of cases every year and only a handful of those cases are usually related to education matters. Many cases are submitted to the court in the hopes that it will grant “certiorari,” or review, but most are denied the chance to argue their case and do not receive any consideration from the Court. Below is a summary of four education cases that were recently submitted to the Court for consideration.

Commission on Teacher Credentialing launches PK-3 credential and adopts revised teaching standards

The CSTP were originally developed and adopted in the 1990s and most recently updated in 2009. The standards describe the set of knowledge, skills and abilities characteristic of accomplished professional practice at the level expected of effective veteran teachers.

What LEAs can do to support foster youth and prepare them for the future

A new report details the significant overhaul needed across sectors to better support and prepare those exiting the foster care system as they transition into adulthood — and schools can play an important role in reinforcing this work.

Released in January by the Institute for the Future, Youth Law Center and California Youth Connection, On the Threshold of Change: Forces that could transform future conditions for youth in Extended Foster Care (EFC) notes that a pandemic, rapidly advancing technology, climate crises, economic, workforce, housing and societal changes and more — circumstances that could never have been imagined by policymakers a decade ago — are already dramatically impacting foster youth transitioning to adulthood, while outdated systems have struggled to respond.

The WorkAbility I (WAI) grant program piloted by the California Department of Education in 1981 is a career awareness, exploration and training program for special education students ages 12 to 22. Part of the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) department housed at San Joaquin COE, it provides students with opportunities to participate in career speaker presentations, mock interviews, job shadowing, industry tours and career exploration. This allows students to find their interests, skills and abilities while learning job-search, readiness and retention skills. The program provides paid job training opportunities for students 16 years and older at participating local businesses with ongoing support and guidance from WAI vocational staff.