Five Education Bills You Should Know About

October 1, 2025

California lawmakers have passed five significant education bills that now await Governor Gavin Newsom's signature before the October 13 deadline. These bills address various aspects of education including inclusive history curriculum about African Americans' contributions, streamlining college admissions through direct admission to CSU campuses, banning ultra-processed foods in schools, extending substitute teacher service periods, and updating reading instruction to address literacy gaps. The measures, which include Senator Laura Richardson's SB 510 (already signed by the Governor on August 28) and four other bills awaiting approval, aim to improve educational outcomes and address inequities in California's education system.

Who is affected

California K-12 students in public schools
High school students applying to CSU campuses
Students with disabilities and those in hard-to-fill subject areas
Black and Hispanic students experiencing reading proficiency gaps
Substitute teachers
School food service programs and their suppliers

What action is being taken

The Instructional Quality Commission is being required to consider including content on African Americans' contributions during specific historical periods
CSU campuses are implementing a direct admission system for qualified high school students
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is developing regulations to ban ultra-processed foods in schools
The number of days substitute teachers can teach is being increased from 30 to 60 days in general education and from 20 to 60 days in special education
The State Board of Education is updating reading instruction curriculum and adopting new instructional materials based on evidence-based teaching methods

Why it matters

Current textbooks and instructional materials often minimize or exclude African Americans' contributions to history
The college application process has been a barrier for qualified students to enter CSU campuses
Ultra-processed foods in schools may harm students' health
California's teacher shortage has created classroom instability and learning disruptions, particularly affecting students with disabilities
The reading proficiency gap between Black and Hispanic students compared to white and Asian students in California is among the widest in the nation

What's next

Governor Newsom has until October 13 to sign or veto the remaining four bills (SB 510 was already signed on August 28)
If not vetoed by the deadline, the bills will automatically become state law
Schools would begin phasing out ultra-processed foods by January 1, 2028, with a complete ban starting July 1, 2035 (excluding food served at fundraisers)

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint