CSBA launches campaign to advocate for creation of state plan focused on what state agencies will do differently to help LEAs close the achievement gap

CSBA launches campaign to advocate for creation of state plan focused on what state agencies will do differently to help LEAs close the achievement gap<_sc3a_dot _xmlns3a_sc="http://www.sitecore.net/sc">

Oct. 9 webinar will analyze 2025 state test results and unveil major CSBA advocacy initiative

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2025) -

The California School Boards Association (CSBA) announced today the launch of a bold, multi-pronged initiative to have the State of California adopt a coherent, state-level plan that describes what state agencies and policymaking bodies are going to do differently to support local educational agency (LEA) efforts to close achievement gaps. The campaign comes on the heels of California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results and National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data that expose stagnant and, in some cases, widening disparities in academic outcomes.

For decades, local school districts and county offices of education have been held accountable for student outcomes, while the state has never established clear benchmarks for state agencies or held itself responsible for its role in closing the achievement gap. CSBA's campaign represents a decisive shift: from rhetoric to action, and from local accountability alone to shared state responsibility that focuses on state-level action to better support school districts and county offices of education in their efforts to uplift struggling student groups.

"For decades, California has held local school boards accountable through elections, audits, assessments and public scrutiny, and our members embrace this level of accountability," said CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. "But the state has never created a coherent master plan with benchmarks and accountability measures for state entities. This campaign is about changing that dynamic - ensuring there's a plan and regular focus on what the state needs to change in the operations of state agencies and its policymaking approach to support local educational agencies in their efforts to improve outcomes for all students."

Campaign goals

CSBA's campaign will press state leaders to:

• Adopt a state-level plan to close achievement gaps, with annual benchmarks and transparent reporting on state actions, not just local outcomes
• Integrate provisions to help close the achievement gap into the Governor's budget and legislative agenda
• Mandate annual Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) accountability reports assessing state programs and policies designed to address achievement gaps
• Create a public dashboard and televised legislative hearings to evaluate state progress
• Provide targeted funding and differentiated assistance to LEAs serving high-need student populations

Webinar: Analyzing the 2025 CAASPP results and calling for change

To officially launch the campaign, CSBA will host a public webinar on:

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. PT
Register »

Speakers include:

• Vernon M. Billy, CSBA CEO & Executive Director (recorded remarks)
• Dr. Bettye Lusk, CSBA President
• Dr. Debra Schade, CSBA President-elect
• Mary Briggs, Senior Director, Research and Education Policy Development
• Dr. Jeremy Anderson, Principal Research Manager, CSBA
• Troy Flint, Chief of Communications (Moderator)

The 90-minute event will begin with a data presentation on the 2025 CAASPP results, followed by a panel discussion launching the campaign, deeper data analysis previews and a Q&A session.

Key themes include:

• Interpreting statewide trends in English language arts, math and science
• The case for state-level accountability and action in 2026 budget and election cycles
• Plans for a "State of the Gap" scorecard and public dashboard to track progress

Register »