CA CDE News Releases

Letter on Farmworkers Day Observance March 31

The California Department of Education issued an official letter informing county and district superintendents and charter school administrators that Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2156, renaming Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day effective March 31, 2026. The letter provides optional educational resources to support schools in teaching about the farmworkers movement as a civil rights struggle.

State Superintendent Hosts Town Hall on AB 673 (Jackson) and Homeless Youth

California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson hosted a town hall in Moreno Valley on March 27, 2026, to raise awareness of Assembly Bill 673, which would create the Unaccompanied Youth Support Grant Program to fund housing and support services for unaccompanied homeless youth in California schools. The bill proposes a pilot initiative to help local educational agencies support homeless students aged 16 and 17 by connecting them with housing resources, basic needs, tutoring, and health services while keeping them engaged in school.

State Superintendent Thurmond Announces Healthcare Cost Workgroup

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced the convening of a new TK-12 Education Healthcare Cost Workgroup to address rising healthcare costs impacting California school districts. The workgroup will include educators, economists, and policy experts developing policy solutions and identifying new revenue sources to help districts offset healthcare costs. This follows the end of the Twin Rivers Unified School District teacher strike, reportedly the longest educator strike in California history, where healthcare costs were cited as a significant fiscal stressor by both labor and management.

Celebration of California State Student Authors Webinar Invitation

The California Department of Education announces a webinar on April 6, 2026, to celebrate student authors designated as California State Student Authors. The virtual event, held via Zoom and Facebook Live from 10:30 a.m. to noon, will feature student readings and remarks from literacy experts. No regulatory obligations or compliance requirements are created by this announcement.

State Superintendent Celebrates California State Student Authors

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and the California Department of Education hosted a celebration for California State Student Authors at CDE headquarters in Sacramento on April 6, 2026. Students in grades 5-12 read excerpts from their published works covering themes including belonging, curiosity, adventure, science fiction, bullying, and positive thinking. Tanya Baker, Executive Director of the National Writing Project, and award-winning author Sandra Cisneros provided advice to young authors on the importance of writing and literacy.