California Signs Wide Education Package Requiring K–2 Math Screening

Overview

• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a group of education bills that together mandate universal K–2 math screening, ease English-learner reclassification, broaden arts funding uses, change substitute-teacher rules, limit some social media for under-16s, and set rules for community-college bachelor’s programs.
• Senate Bill 1067 requires all kindergarten through second-grade students to be screened for basic math skills and directs the State Board of Education to set guidelines and the Department of Education to pick approved screening tools before districts must begin using them in fall 2028.
• Assembly Bill 2555 lets any student who scored proficient on the 2025–26 ELPAC be reclassified as English proficient without the previous extra criteria of teacher sign-off, parent approval, or proof of basic skills.
• Educators and analysts warn the laws identify needs without new dedicated tutoring money, which could leave districts unable to turn screener results into small-group instruction, intensive help, or dyscalculia evaluations.
• Other changes include expanded allowable uses and pooling for Prop. 28 arts funds, longer emergency substitute permits with required parent notice, required remote parent-teacher conference options, age limits and verification for some social platforms, and a capped, metric‑based approval system for community-college bachelor’s programs.