Plain English Breakdown
The official text states provisions become inoperative on July 1, 2033, and are repealed as of January 1, 2034; the exact effective date is not listed in the provided metadata.
AB-857: Cultural Competency Training for School Employees
This law requires California schools to provide annual online cultural competency training to all employees from the 2027–28 school year through the 2031–32 school year.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the State Department of Education to create an online platform and curriculum for this training by July 1, 2027.
- Mandates that schools provide annual cultural competency training to all employees starting in the 2027–28 school year and ending after the 2031–32 school year.
- Requires schools to give proof of completion certificates to employees who finish the training.
- Ensures employees complete the training during paid work hours or designated professional development time.
- Directs the State Department of Education to monitor compliance and report data to the Legislature within 9 months after the five-year period ends.
Who It Names or Affects
- School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools serving kindergarten through grade 12.
- All employees working in these public school settings.
- The California State Department of Education.
Terms To Know
- Cultural competency training
- Instruction designed to help school staff better support pupils of color by understanding different cultures and backgrounds.
- Local educational agency
- A group that runs schools, such as a school district, county office of education, or charter school.
Limits and Unknowns
- The training requirement ends after the 2031–32 school year and becomes inactive on July 1, 2033.
- Employees may be exempt if they provide proof of completing similar training at another local educational agency.
- State reimbursement for costs depends on a determination by the Commission on State Mandates.