California Department of Education

✨CDE State Special School spotlight ✨ The California School for the Blind (CSB) is a resource available to students statewide. The school provides intensive, disability-specific educational services for pupils who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind. The CSB is the only state-funded public school for the blind and visually impaired in California. No enrollment deadlines here - students are admitted on a rolling basis. 🐆 Learn more about the CSB at: https://lnkd.in/gp_ZPdYn

Happy #NationalPrincipalsMonth! We honor and appreciate our amazing school principals for their leadership, commitment, and dedication to go above and beyond every single day to support California students and staff. ⭐

Reminder ❗❗ Deadline to apply is Monday, October 7❗ Are you in high school and interested in pursuing a career in public service? Nominations for the 2025 United States Senate Youth Program are being accepted! Geared for high school juniors or seniors, two student delegates will visit Washington, D.C. in March 2025 as guests of the United States Senate and receive a $10,000 college scholarship. Learn more and apply at: https://lnkd.in/g2SJMcj5

The CDE celebrates October as #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth! Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinas/os and African Americans. Join the CDE in celebrating #FAHM to bring awareness of Filipinos' significant role in American history as part of ongoing efforts to acknowledge, recognize, and honor the diverse histories and backgrounds of California students, staff, and families. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/dqk28CZ

Committing to student health and safety! Governor Gavin Newsom signed #AB2316 into law, co-sponsored by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond that, effective December 31, 2027, will prohibit California public schools from offering, selling, or otherwise providing food and beverages containing six potentially harmful food dyes. #AB2316 requires California public schools to eliminate food and drinks that contain Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. These substances, often used as food dyes and additives, have raised health concerns and are being removed from school environments to safeguard students' well-being. This reflects the CDE’s ongoing efforts to create the healthiest possible educational environment. By removing these substances from school-provided food and beverages, California is reinforcing its commitment to student health, ensuring that every child has access to less processed foods, and offering more healthier menu options. “Healthy, safe school meals are foundational to our students’ well-being and ability to learn. As someone who depended on school meals growing up, I know how critical it is that our children receive food at school that is nutritious and is never harmful,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “This is an important step forward to ensure that California’s schools are healthy and equitable learning environments for all.”

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond today held the first virtual meeting of the Educator Housing Working Group to discuss the next steps and potential legislative solutions to respond to California’s urgent need for affordable housing. Members of the Housing group shared their best and most ambitious ideas on how the CDE can help districts build capacity to develop housing, and what funds are available for capacity building. Superintendent Thurmond hosted a Housing Summit last month to respond to California’s urgent need for affordable housing and workforce housing and to accelerate access to homeownership for working and middle-class Californians. The summit was the official start of Superintendent Thurmond’s housing initiative to develop 2.3 million housing units using 75,000 acres of surplus land owned by school districts.

#ICYMI: Thirty California schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024! These recognized schools are among the state’s highest-performing based on all student scores, subgroup student scores, and graduation rates. 🏅🏫 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gAKtt_e4

Great news! Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills co-sponsored by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond that will further the CDE’s commitment to fostering a greater understanding, appreciation, and respect of Native American cultures. #AB1821 will require elementary through high school education regarding the Mission and Gold Rush periods to include the treatment and perspectives of Native Americans, providing students with a fuller picture of the state’s history. This bill will greatly support Native American students to be accurately seen and reflected in their instructional materials. Beginning January 1, 2026, #AB3074 will prohibit all public schools, except for a school operated by an Indian tribe or a tribal organization, from using any derogatory Native American term for school or athletic team names, mascots, or nicknames. “I place equity and opportunity for all of our students at the center of our agenda,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “It is my goal to really change these educational disparities and ensure that all students see their cultures affirmed and celebrated at school.”

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Brings Together Over 100 LEAs to Boost Test Scores in Mathematics and English Language Arts, and More in This Week’s Issue of CDE Today. To subscribe, visit https://lnkd.in/ggD8R8U7.

Today, the CDE celebrates the 57th annual #CaliforniaNativeAmericanDay to honor California’s first people, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of Native American cultures, and reshaping the way Native Americans and their heritage are perceived. We encourage educators, students, and community members to celebrate and honor the enduring legacy and vibrant cultures of California’s Native American communities.