Lawmakers Spearheaded Effort to Bring Historic, Much-needed Changes to California Charter Schools Law

LOS ANGELES — The California Teachers Association presented both California State Assembly Members Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) and Christy Smith (D-Santa Clarita) its prestigious Friend of Education Award during its quarterly 800-member State Council of Education meeting on Sunday. The award, which recognizes “exemplary support of public education,” was given to the two lawmakers for their commitment to students and educators and in recognition for their efforts authoring new state laws bringing new accountability and transparency to California’s charter schools. The landmark legislation, signed by Governor Newsom into law last October, was among the first of major reforms to the state’s charter schools law since it was passed nearly three decades ago.

“CTA is extremely grateful for the outstanding leadership shown by Assembly Member O’Donnell and Assembly Member Smith on the critically important issues of charter school accountability and local oversight, and for their long histories of supporting public education on many other fronts,” said CTA President E. Toby Boyd. “Their most recent efforts, backed by CTA and a broad coalition of educators and community, will benefit millions of California students and help reign in decades of waste, fraud and abuse among a segment of our state’s charter school operators.”

O’Donnell, a former classroom teacher who chairs the Assembly Education Committee, has spent his time in the Assembly fighting to increase funding for schools, including for creative arts and special education programs; expand investments for preschools and K-12 school facilities; provide more slots for California residents at the UC and CSU systems; and lead the charge to create safe learning environments for LGBTQ+ students. Last year he helped make history by authoring AB 1505, which protects students and gives local school boards sole authority over charter schools in their communities. The legislation holds charter schools to the same accountability and transparency standards as neighborhood public schools, helping to ensure a level playing field and educational equity.

Smith is a former school board member who has been a tireless advocate for giving educators the resources they need to ensure their students can succeed. Her work in the Assembly has driven the philosophy that education is the key to prosperity in our communities, and her public policy expertise was instrumental when she partnered with CTA last year to author AB 1507, which eliminated a loophole that allowed charter schools to operate outside the boundaries of their authorizing school district.

Charter school reform and the passage AB 1505 and 1507 were among CTA’s top priorities last year. Their passage followed another major charter reform, SB 126, which Governor Newsom signed into law last March. That legislation requires charters to follow the same open records and open meeting requirements as neighborhood public schools and curtails financial conflicts of interest among charter board members. Last year’s victories were the result of years of organizing and lobbying by CTA members, including educators who work in the state’s charter schools.

For more information and resources on the new legislation and additional information on California’s charter schools, visit cta.org/charters.

The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.