Recent News

As the Legislature winds down for the year (their last official day of work for the year will be September 14), we want to provide a summary of the major education issues pending in these final weeks.

The biggest fights this year are more political than usual. There are heated debates around instructional materials (AB 1078, see description below) along with an emerging conversation over if/how schools disclose information to parents about a student’s gender identity. We are expecting a last-minute measure to be introduced next week, likely backed by Governor Newsom, to address this issue. We will provide an analysis of that measure when it is in print.

The IB is supporting the California Association of IB World Schools (CAWS) and Comunidad de Apoyo San Diego (CASD) to help uninsured patients in the San Diego community with critical health needs such as screenings, surgeries, and lab work. Begin your schoolbased project for 2023/2024!

Earlier this week, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA), along with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), introduced the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would commit the Federal Government to increasing special education funding over the next 10 years and ensure Congress fulfills its promise to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

By far, the most significant item at the July State Board of Education (SBE) hearing was the adoption of the long-awaited 2023 Mathematics Framework, which we cover in detail below. Next step (a few miles down the road) – Textbook adoption!

Last Friday was the deadline for policy committees in both houses of the Legislature to hear and consider bills from the opposite house (Senate bills in the Assembly, and vice versa). Deadline day also corresponded with the Legislature breaking for Summer Recess, and as members of both houses return home to their districts for the next month, we wanted to update you on some of the key education bills still moving through the Legislative process, as well as one that has stalled for the year.

Just a quick note on the culmination of an extensive and intensive budget negotiation between the Governor and the Legislature.


As mentioned earlier, negotiations began in earnest on the state’s 2023-24 FY budget in May. The fiscal situation continues to worsen, but the situation is somewhat fluid – accurate revenue numbers proved elusive due to the extension of tax filing deadlines as a result of last winter’s storms.

While we wait for a final budget deal for 2023-24 between the Legislature and Governor Newsom, we're told the education portion of the budget has been agreed to and that no further changes are expected.

You can find a detailed summary of the Pre K-12 Education Budget here:

The IB Middle Years Programme Webinar: Building an inclusive learning community through a solid academic foundation for students aged 11 to 16  

Please join IB Development Managers Heather Lapper and Chloé Suberville, to learn more about the Middle Years Programme, a curriculum framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world.

This morning Governor Gavin Newsom released his May Revision budget proposal with relatively few surprises and no major changes from his approach in January. During his press conference, the Governor credited prudence and fiscal discipline over the last few years for allowing the state to largely maintain programs and funding commitments despite an additional modest reduction of revenues compared to January estimates.

David Weiss, IBO Public Schools Head (US), recently held a roundtable for educators regarding Academic Integrity which focused on the use of AI by IB students. His meeting was designed to address concerns with the recent advancement of ChatGPT. Over 200 IB educators participated his sessions.

Real change begins when we choose hope. By believing that we have the power to make an impact, we take the first step on the journey to changing our world. The choice is yours. But you are not alone. This is an invitation to join an inspiring community that will help us think boldly, nurture our curiosity, and empower us to act together.

As you enter the final quarters of the school year, it is a perfect time to review your programme and district finances. Funding will not be as abundant according to all predictions next year but there remain many options to ensure that your programme and professional development needs are adequately supported.

At its March meeting, the State Board of Education (SBE) focused on ways to improve our state assessments and accountability system. Below is a summary of the significant developments from the meeting, followed by information on the regular agenda items and waiver requests heard by the Board.

Ten new or revised courses were approved for the 2022-2023 academic year for the International Baccalaureate Organization UC A-G Program List.

Continue for specific courses, recognition and courses that need to be submitted in 2023.

Happy New Year to all DP and CP Schools!
The UC High School Articulation Office will open their A-G Course Management Portal on February 1. At this time, you will be able to submit new courses or request course revisions for the 2023-2024 school year. The primary phase for submissions will be February 1-June 30. Any new IB courses or IB course revisions need to be submitted through the IB Organization A-G course management portal.