California school districts are heading into a transformative year. With new state legislation and continued funding initiatives shaping everything from device usage to mental health infrastructure, K-12 leaders across the state are facing an evolving set of responsibilities. The 2025-26 school year won’t just be about keeping up – it’ll be about planning ahead, building compliance into every layer of operations, and keeping students safe, supported, and connected in line with California school policy.
Whether you’re part of a large urban district or a smaller suburban system, California’s latest policy changes are designed to impact how schools manage technology, protect student data, and deliver equitable support services. For district leaders, the key will be balancing compliance with practicality, and finding ways to implement new policies in a manner that’s both scalable and student-first.
What’s Changing for California School Policy in 2025-26?
Cell Phone Use: AB 3216
Starting in Fall 2025, California schools must implement age-appropriate policies restricting student cell phone use during school hours. Districts will need to strike a balance between limiting distractions and ensuring accessibility during emergencies or for learning purposes. This policy may also accelerate demand for classroom technology tools that support engagement and accountability.
Student Data Privacy: AB 2720
California has expanded SOPIPA to ban targeted advertising, profiling, and unauthorized student data use by edtech vendors. Districts must now perform due diligence by auditing vendor contracts and digital platforms to ensure compliance. Procurement and IT teams should already be reviewing internal processes to meet transparency standards and student data protections.
Cyberbullying & Digital Conduct
While there’s no named legislation in this area for 2025-26, the state continues to prioritize digital citizenship and online safety. Districts are expected to maintain robust acceptable use policies (AUPs), train staff on cyberbullying intervention, and provide ongoing digital literacy education for students.
Technology-Based School Safety
Ongoing infrastructure investment – bolstered by Proposition 2 and federal safety grants – gives districts an opportunity to modernize their safety systems. This includes physical upgrades like access controls and emergency alerts, as well as digital tools for threat monitoring and crisis communication.
Mental Health Support
California continues to expand behavioral wellness initiatives, encouraging districts to strengthen access to school-linked mental health services. Telehealth programs, on-campus counseling, and wellness infrastructure are all key areas for investment.
Parental Engagement & Oversight
While not mandated in new legislation, expectations are growing for schools to provide greater visibility into student technology use and wellbeing. Schools should focus on building trust and transparency through clear communication, real-time alerts, and parent-accessible dashboards.
Download the 2025-26 School Readiness Guide
To help district and school leaders stay ahead of these shifts, we’ve created the 2025-26 School Readiness Guide: a national resource designed to help K-12 decision-makers align their practices with the latest legislation, safety mandates, and student wellness priorities.
The guide includes six key focus areas:
- Cell phone bans & digital distractions
- Student data privacy & vendor accountability
- Campus & physical safety
- Online safety & digital wellbeing
- Responsible AI readiness & usage
- Community-centered student support
Each section includes a clear checklist and action items to follow, making the guide easy to reference and implement.
You can download the guide for free here.
Further K-12 Guidance & Support is Just a Click Away
At Securly, we’re proud to support 1,264,095 students across 503 schools and districts in California. From San Francisco Unified and San Jose Unified, to Modesto City and Tustin Unified, we’re trusted by districts of all sizes to help create safer, more connected, and more future-ready learning environments.
Whether you’re responding to new policy, evaluating your safety and wellness tools, or looking for expert support, our team is always here to support you along the way.
To learn more about Securly, visit our website.
For regularly updated California school policy information, bookmark the hub.
To discuss your school and its needs for 2025-26 with one of our experts, schedule a call.
