Welcome to November!

As we step into November, I hope this message finds you well and that you’ve enjoyed a productive and inspiring fall season. Across our districts and schools, this time of year often brings the energy of parent-teacher conferences, the closing of grading periods, and the transition from fall to winter athletics. It’s a busy and vibrant season on every campus — one that highlights the dedication, care, and commitment educators bring to their work each day.

We know that this time of year can feel both rewarding and demanding. In the midst of supporting students, collaborating with colleagues, and meeting the many needs of your school communities, we hope you’re able to take moments to pause, rest, and appreciate the meaningful progress happening all around you. November also brings a natural opportunity to reflect on gratitude. As you balance the demands of teaching, leading, and learning, we hope you find time this month to connect with family and friends and to recharge for the weeks ahead. 

Our Continuous Improvement team remains thankful for the opportunity to partner with you in supporting your ongoing efforts in classrooms, schools, and districts to build systems that foster lasting, positive change for students. 

Cathy Henderson    chenderson@tehamaschools.org

CA School Dashboard Release

The upcoming release of the California School Dashboard (Dashboard) is scheduled for November 13, 2025.  Keep an eye out for your private Dashboard sneak peek on November 6th! Additional information is found further down, with what to expect in changes on the Dashboard. 

• Updated flyers for parents & educators, 

• On-demand recordings & notetaking guides, 

• Technical documents & indicator-specific insights

These resources are designed to make the data more accessible, understandable, and actionable for everyone in the education community. 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Education Bills signed into law or vetoed

Governor Newsom signed several education bills this fall, including measures to strengthen early literacy instruction, expand student safety, phase out ultra-processed foods in schools, and simplify CSU admissions. The article below highlights key vetoed bills, such as proposals to expand substitute teacher limits, tighten charter school oversight, and adjust attendance funding.  Here is a synopsis of the education laws that were recently passed or vetoed. 

Read the full summary at EdSource: California Lawmakers Pass Key Education Reforms (Oct. 2025)

In addition...

• AB495 - Caregiver Authorization. I have attached an article regarding this law that will help you better understand the new, broader definition of "relative" for the Caregiver Authorization. 

• Capitol Advisors provided a brief detailing new education laws that were passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Newsom in 2025. The brief is organized by subject area and includes an executive summary highlighting major changes and debates we think you should know about. Bills signed by the Governor take effect on January 1, 2026, unless the bill specifically states otherwise.

  • • This client brief attached below covers legislation signed into law affecting Human Resources. Topics covered include:

• Hiring and background checks

• Mandated reporter training

• Credentialing

• Employee leave

• For a detailed summary of all HR-related legislative changes, refer to the Brief. 

• New requirements for virtual meetings. Limits to two per board member annually..

• Beginning January 1, 2026, Government Code § 54952.7 requires local agencies to provide a copy of the Brown Act to every person elected or appointed to a legislative body. You may give this compilation to new or appointed board members at swearing-in or orientation to satisfy that obligation.

   DASHBOARD UPDATES COMING IN NOVEMBER

With the release of the Public Dashboard on November 13th, there will some changes to accountability and the Dashboard overall. Some of those changes are noted below.

Science Indicator

Performance on the Science Indicator will have colors this November, but will not impact state and federal support determinations in 2025

• • In 2025, the Science Indicator will be for informational purposes only and will be in the Information Purposes section of the Dashboard.

Student Growth Data/Reports

• Growth measures how much students’ summative assessment scores grew from one grade level to the next.

• California’s growth data reflects how average growth performance at an LEA or school compares to average growth for all tested students in the state.

• ELA Growth and Mathematics Growth will live on the front page on the 2025 Dashboard as part of the Informational Purposes section.

• Growth will be published on the 2025 Dashboard in December 2025.

• Growth results will be shared for all LEAs, schools, and student groups with students in grades four through eight.

• Growth will look different than other indicators, and will have:

• No change level

• No colors

• The growth card will have the following information:

  • Percent of students whose scores improved from the prior year

  • Growth Performance Category

Graduation Rate Indicator

• Students with exceptional needs, who take the CAAs, can graduate from high school through a newly defined diploma pathway (Education Code 51225.31 and 51225.32).

• Students completing this alternative pathway diploma will count towards the LEA’s graduation rate on the Dashboard.

CDE Diploma Pathway for Students who Qualify for the California Alternate Assessment web page

College/Career Readiness Indicator (CCI)

The College/Career indicator is expanding what it means for a school or LEA to show they have programs that prepare students for college/career.

• AP Course completion is now included as a Prepared measure on the CCI for the following:

• AP measure

• University of California (UC) / California State University (CSU) requirements measure

• Transition Classroom and Work–Based Learning Experience

  • This measure is available only to students: who are awarded the Alternative Pathway Diploma.

  • Education Code 51225.31 and 51225.32

CDE has updated the Dashboard Toolkit to include additional resources for LEAs, including:

• Indicators Flyers - Flyers for Educators, Flyers for Parents, and Additional Flyers and Information

• Parent Guide - a plain language flyers and a technical guide geared for parents

• Translated Flyers Versions - specific materials have been translated to help bring the Dashboard closer to home

Dashboard Communications Toolkit 

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

• November 13th: CA School Dashboard released and LEAs identified for Differentiated Assistance 

Plan on DA identification aligning with the Dashboard public release on Nov 13, 2025, as CDE indicates LEAs are notified of eligibility in connection with the Dashboard release

• November 12th-14th CA Assessment Conference in Riverside, CA: Registration for CA Assessment Conference

• December 2025: LEAs will be identified for federal accountability (CSI, ATSI, TSI); no specific date in December has been released

• SARC Published and Posted by February 1, 2026

• Comprehensive School Safety Plan approved and adopted by governing board by February 28, 2026 (with new required elements)

• June 30, 2026 - Proposition 28 funds allocated for the 2022-23 school year must be expended, or funds will be forfeited

School Accountability Report Card Coordinators

• The annual 2024–25 SARC Coordinator registration in the myCDEconnect unified system opened on September 16, 2025. 

  • Each school may register up to two SARC Coordinators per LEA and up to two SARC Coordinators per school.

  • Document Track Services (DTS) provides an electronic SARC template. DTS uploads more than 90 percent of the required data in the public school electronic 2024–25 SARC templates, allowing for LEAs to save valuable time in this process. The template is available now,

  • The 2024–25 SARC is due no later than February 1, 2026, and considered current through January 31, 2027. Any school whose SARC has not been published and submitted to the CDE by February 1, 2026, will be out of compliance with both state and federal law.

ATTENDANCE SUPPORT

As we approach cold and flu season, we want to help families make informed decisions about when to keep children home from school. Please take a moment to review this helpful resource, which provides guidance on when it’s best for your child to rest and recover at home if they’re not feeling well. 

RESOURCES

Resources for homeless education information and the McKinney-Vento definition can be found at the following links: 

https://www.hetac.org/

https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/hs/homelessdef.asp

https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/hs/cy/index.asp

Resources for Foster Youth education rights can be found in the following links:

https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/pf/fy/fyedrights.asp

https://fyscptap.scoe.net/

https://www.cfyetf.org/_files/ugd/e7e2f5_4a5e194dfaa14bca8645b44e28189a70.pdf

ELPAC Mandatory Statewide LEA Certification Requirements

The  Summative ELPAC Moodle Training Site opened on Oct. 20. ELPAC regulations require annual training for all LEAs, even those that do not have students who are English learners. LEA ELPAC Coordinators (only one person from each LEA) must complete the appropriate Summative ELPAC LEA certification course (K-12 or 6-12) by Monday, December 8, 2025.  LEAs that do not complete the certification by this deadline may be subject to an ETS Tier 2 audit. 

The Summative Alternate ELPAC LEA Certification Course opens on Nov. 3.  ELPAC regulations require annual training for LEAs that have students who are eligible for the Summative Alternate ELPAC.  LEAS must complete the course within two weeks of registering an eligible student.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS!

You can access the Professional Development Calendar here!  

2026 Far NorCal Regional Science Bowl! 

Mark your calendars! The 2026 Far Northern California Regional Science Bowl will be held at Simpson University on February 28. This high-energy competition challenges middle and high school teams with rigorous science and math questions while fostering collaboration, confidence, and STEM connections.

Registration opens Monday, October 6. Schools may register up to two teams (with a possible third).
Interested in bringing a team? Contact sfoulk@simpsonu.edu to reserve your spot.

📄 Flyer & Details

Tools for Math Success: Leveraging the Framework, Instructional Materials, & SBAC Summative Assessment

Webinar on November 7, 2025, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

This webinar is intended to advance the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond's, Moving the Needle Initiative by providing educators, administrators, and school and district leaders with practical strategies for improving student learning outcomes in mathematics. 

Participants will explore strategies for aligning classroom instruction with the framework, integrating resources that promote deeper mathematical understanding, and leveraging assessment data to inform teaching.

To register, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sPdsfThQQx6ydG9xYxVIiQ

Tailoring the Science of Reading for Dual‑Language Learners

A recent report from Children’s Equity Project highlights how the principles of the Science of Reading—often seen as English‑only—can be effectively adapted for bilingual and multilingual learners when implemented in a dual‑language context. The key: keep core language development central, preview vocabulary with visuals, build on students’ home language, and foster metalinguistic awareness to support reading outcomes. 

Children's Equity Project Article