Staying ahead of legislative changes, funding updates, and district priorities is key to creating safer and more supportive K-12 learning environments. This page consolidates essential resources for California schools - from policy information and insights, to grant opportunities and helpful further reading - and is regularly updated to reflect the latest developments throughout the school year.
AB 3216 (2024–2025) (Enacted): Requires school districts to adopt age-appropriate policies restricting student cell phone use during school hours.
Schools must develop and enforce structured device-use policies, with implementation expected by Fall 2025.
Policies should balance engagement, accessibility, and accommodation for emergencies or learning needs.
May prompt increased use of classroom tech tools and non-punitive enforcement approaches.
LCFF Grants | Flexible per-pupil funding can support policy rollout, training, and tools.
AB 2720 (2024): Expands SOPIPA, banning edtech vendors from targeted advertising, profiling, or unauthorized student data use. Also adds stricter audit and transparency rules.
Districts must ensure vendor contracts comply with expanded SOPIPA provisions.
Procurement and IT teams must review edtech integration, conduct audits, and confirm data protection protocols.
Increases the bar for transparency and accountability in digital tools used for instruction.
LCFF Funds | Can be used to support privacy compliance and auditing systems.
SchoolSafety.gov may offer federal options for cybersecurity and student data protection infrastructure.
While there is no new named legislation for 2025-26, state and federal programs continue to prioritize cyberbullying prevention, digital citizenship, and student safety online.
Districts should maintain updated acceptable use policies (AUPs), train staff on cyberbullying response, and ensure students receive ongoing digital literacy instruction.
CDE Grants Portal | Includes relevant grants for digital tools.
SchoolSafety.gov | May fund threat monitoring or cyberbullying detection tools.
There are no specific 2025-26 laws, but significant investment continues via statewide bond measures and infrastructure grants to upgrade school security systems.
Districts should modernize physical and digital safety tools, like cameras, alerts, access controls, and emergency response tech.
Align these upgrades with facility improvement plans and school safety audits.
Proposition 2 (2024) | $10B school bond for safety upgrades, facility improvements, and STEM spaces.
SchoolSafety.gov | Federal grant portal supporting security infrastructure and emergency planning.
CDE Grants Portal | Lists safety and afterschool infrastructure grants that support school security efforts.
While no new mental health legislation has been enacted, existing initiatives continue to expand telehealth and behavioral wellness infrastructure.
Districts are encouraged to strengthen their mental health service delivery through school-linked partnerships and expanded access to teletherapy or on-campus counselors.
Planning should include physical spaces, secure connectivity, and staffing pathways.
LCFF Grants | Can support wellness staffing and student supports.
CDE Grants Portal | Potential additional behavioral health funding streams.
No 2025-26 legislation targeting this area directly, but national and state-level expectations for tech transparency and family engagement are on the rise.
Schools should equip families with student activity dashboards, real-time alerts, and clear data-sharing protocols.
Align communication strategies with privacy laws and school board policy standards.
LCFF and CDE grant programs may support parent engagement tools and staff development.
SchoolSafety.gov can be tapped for systems that include parent notification or crisis communication functionality.
The 2025-26 School Readiness Guide is a practical planning tool designed to help K-12 leaders navigate the ever-evolving landscape of student safety, mental health, and digital wellbeing.
The Securly Shield brings together holistic K-12 solutions that empower California districts to proactively protect students, support mental wellness, and drive student engagement through smarter, safer technology:
students supported
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