School accountability: school financial and performance audits: chartering authorities: tort liability: educational enrichment activities: flex-based instruction.
- Requires auditors of local educational agencies to complete specialized training and follow stricter oversight procedures by 2026.
- Mandates charter schools to publicly review annual audits and empowers state to reduce funding for financial mismanagement.
- Establishes new vetting requirements for educational enrichment vendors and limits contracts over $100,000 to public approval.
- Expands definition of public entities to include charter schools, subjecting them to government liability protections and obligations.
Senator Ashby's comprehensive education accountability measure strengthens financial oversight of California's local educational agencies and charter schools through enhanced audit requirements, expanded charter school monitoring, and new controls on educational enrichment activities.
The legislation requires certified public accountants conducting school audits to complete specialized training in educational finance and compliance testing starting in 2026-27. Auditors must independently select document samples, verify pupil-teacher ratios in independent study programs, and review credit card transactions. Charter school governing bodies must publicly review annual audits and address any exceptions identified.
The bill replaces "nonclassroom-based instruction" terminology with "flex-based instruction" and authorizes the State Board of Education to adjust charter school funding upon finding demonstrable financial abuse or excessive administrative expenses. Charter schools must obtain written approval from their authorizing entity to operate resource centers outside district boundaries.
New requirements for educational enrichment activities take effect July 2026. Local educational agencies may only contract with vetted vendors who demonstrate educational value, maintain proper insurance and licensing, conduct employee background checks, and implement safety protocols. Contracts exceeding $100,000 annually require governing board approval in open meetings.
The measure expands the definition of "public entity" in the Government Claims Act to explicitly include charter schools. It also requires the Legislative Analyst's Office to study other states' charter school authorization and oversight practices by October 2027 to inform potential reforms.
The Controller must incorporate verification of these new requirements into annual K-12 audit guidelines, including fiscal penalties for non-compliance. The Commission on State Mandates will determine if the new provisions create reimbursable state mandates for local agencies and school districts.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
 Steven ChoiR Senator | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Eloise ReyesD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Lena GonzalezD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Dave CorteseD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Requires auditors of local educational agencies to complete specialized training and follow stricter oversight procedures by 2026.
- Mandates charter schools to publicly review annual audits and empowers state to reduce funding for financial mismanagement.
- Establishes new vetting requirements for educational enrichment vendors and limits contracts over $100,000 to public approval.
- Expands definition of public entities to include charter schools, subjecting them to government liability protections and obligations.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Senator Ashby's comprehensive education accountability measure strengthens financial oversight of California's local educational agencies and charter schools through enhanced audit requirements, expanded charter school monitoring, and new controls on educational enrichment activities.
The legislation requires certified public accountants conducting school audits to complete specialized training in educational finance and compliance testing starting in 2026-27. Auditors must independently select document samples, verify pupil-teacher ratios in independent study programs, and review credit card transactions. Charter school governing bodies must publicly review annual audits and address any exceptions identified.
The bill replaces "nonclassroom-based instruction" terminology with "flex-based instruction" and authorizes the State Board of Education to adjust charter school funding upon finding demonstrable financial abuse or excessive administrative expenses. Charter schools must obtain written approval from their authorizing entity to operate resource centers outside district boundaries.
New requirements for educational enrichment activities take effect July 2026. Local educational agencies may only contract with vetted vendors who demonstrate educational value, maintain proper insurance and licensing, conduct employee background checks, and implement safety protocols. Contracts exceeding $100,000 annually require governing board approval in open meetings.
The measure expands the definition of "public entity" in the Government Claims Act to explicitly include charter schools. It also requires the Legislative Analyst's Office to study other states' charter school authorization and oversight practices by October 2027 to inform potential reforms.
The Controller must incorporate verification of these new requirements into annual K-12 audit guidelines, including fiscal penalties for non-compliance. The Commission on State Mandates will determine if the new provisions create reimbursable state mandates for local agencies and school districts.
Steven ChoiR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Eloise ReyesD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Lena GonzalezD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Dave CorteseD Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR Senator | Committee Member | Not Contacted |