How California's 2025 education reforms could reshape schools for 5.8 million students

California’s education system is on the brink of a major transformation. In 2025, the state legislature passed several sweeping bills designed to reshape how its K-12 public schools operate — from classroom instruction to campus culture, student health, and pathways into higher education. With roughly 5.8 million students enrolled in California’s public schools, the impact of these reforms could be profound. Governor Gavin Newsom now has until October 12, 2025, to sign or veto the measures.
A broad push for equity and civil rightsAt the heart of the legislative package is Assembly Bill 715 , which strengthens protections against discrimination in schools. Previously, state and district-level policies focused narrowly on combating antisemitism. AB 715 expands the framework to include discrimination based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and other protected categories.

Key provisions include:

• Creation of a state Office for Civil Rights in Education to receive and investigate complaints.
  
• Mandated anti-bias training for teachers, administrators, and staff.
  
• Development of educational resources for students to better recognize and report harassment or inequitable treatment.

Advocates argue that the bill responds to rising concerns about bullying, hate speech, and racial tensions on campuses. California has reported an uptick in civil rights-related complaints in schools over the past five years, mirroring national trends.
Literacy reform: Anchoring to the science of readingAnother major initiative is Assembly Bill 1454, which mandates that all public schools adopt “Science of Reading” instructional practices. This evidence-based framework emphasises five pillars of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The change addresses California’s longstanding literacy crisis. In the most recent state assessments, only about 46% of third graders met English language arts standards. Supporters believe that shifting to structured, phonics-based instruction will close achievement gaps, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Implementation will involve:

• Replacing outdated reading programs with evidence-backed curricula.
  
• Training teachers statewide in structured literacy methods.
  
• Phased rollout beginning with early elementary grades, where foundational reading skills are most critical.

Senate Bill 640 : Automatic admission to CSUAccess to higher education also features prominently in this reform wave. Senate Bill 640 establishes an automatic admission system for eligible high school seniors to California State University (CSU) campuses.

Under the policy:

• Students who meet GPA and course requirements will receive direct admission offers without completing a traditional application.
  
• The system aims to remove barriers for first-generation and low-income students, who often find the college application process complex and intimidating.
  

By expanding access, the state hopes to increase CSU enrollment, particularly among underrepresented groups.

Currently, only about 64% of California high school graduates enroll in college directly after graduation, with lower rates among Black and Latino students. SB 640 is seen as a mechanism to close those gaps.
Prioritising student health: Nutrition overhaulBeyond academics, the legislature is addressing student well-being. Several bills, supported by public health advocates, target school nutrition standards. The reforms would:

• Eliminate highly processed foods and sugary beverages from cafeterias.
  
• Introduce menus emphasising fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
  
• Establish partnerships with local food suppliers to reduce costs and support California agriculture.

Childhood obesity remains a pressing issue — nearly 1 in 3 California children are overweight or obese, according to the state’s Department of Public Health. Lawmakers argue that improving diet quality in schools could have long-term benefits for both academic performance and public health outcomes.
Expanding curriculum: Ethnic studies and cultural inclusionIn addition, legislators are pushing for greater curriculum inclusivity. Proposed measures would expand ethnic studies requirements and integrate culturally responsive teaching into classrooms.

This follows California’s earlier move in 2021 to make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement beginning in 2030. The new legislation accelerates and broadens that effort by:

• Requiring districts to incorporate diverse cultural perspectives across multiple subjects.
  
• Supporting teacher training in inclusive curriculum design.
  
• Ensuring materials are representative of California’s diverse student population, where more than 75% identify as non-white.

The road aheadWhile these reforms carry transformative potential, their success hinges on effective execution. Challenges include:

• Funding: Upgrading curricula, training teachers, and revamping nutrition programs will require significant investment.
  

Capacity: Ensuring all 10,000+ public schools can adopt new literacy methods and nutrition standards is a logistical hurdle.

Pushback: Some reforms, particularly around curriculum inclusivity and nutrition mandates, may face resistance from local districts or parent groups.

Governor Newsom has historically supported equity-driven education reforms, but his final decisions will determine how — and how quickly — these initiatives reshape California classrooms.
A potential national modelEducation analysts suggest that California’s package of reforms could serve as a national model, especially for states grappling with literacy gaps, equity concerns, and declining college enrollment. If successful, the state could position itself as a leader in building an education system that is not only academically rigorous but also socially inclusive and health-conscious.