AB-821
Education

Pupil instruction: high school graduation requirements: career technical education.

Enrolled
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Extends the use of career technical education to count toward high school graduation indefinitely.
  • Imposes a state-mandated local program for districts to implement CTE credit.
  • Repeals the sunset limiting CTE credit toward graduation.
  • Authorizes reimbursement for state-mandated local costs if approved.

Summary

Assembly Member Gipson’s measure would indefinitely allow career technical education to count toward the high school diploma requirement, removing the current expiration tied to UC/CSU policy changes or a July 1, 2027 deadline. The change maintains CTE as one of the eligible options alongside visual and performing arts and world language, as districts decide how to meet the graduation standard through coursework completed in grades 9–12.

Under the bill, a district that elects to let a career technical education course satisfy the graduation requirement must publicly announce the intent at a regularly scheduled meeting and explain three aspects: the district’s intent to offer CTE to fulfill that requirement; the impact on eligibility for admission to the California State University and the University of California and whether the CTE courses offered are approved to satisfy those eligibility requirements; and the distinctions, if any, between the district’s graduation requirements and CSU/UC eligibility. The bill also specifies that a CTE course must be part of a district-operated program aligned to state-adopted CTE standards and may be offered through regional centers or joint agreements; it does not obligate districts that do not currently offer CTE to create programs.

The measure also codifies ongoing requirements elsewhere in the program of study, including two physical education courses and a set of ethnic studies and personal finance provisions. Beginning in 2025–26, districts would be required to offer at least one semester of ethnic studies; for pupils graduating in 2029–30 and beyond, ethnic studies would become a graduation option in a specified timeline. Beginning with 2027–28, districts would be required to offer a separate, stand-alone one-semester personal finance course in all high schools, with further flexibility for later years to allow exemptions or adjustments as the bill specifies, including ensuring the course content covers defined topics. The proposal also envisions a process for reporting to the Legislature and contemplates possible state funding if costs are deemed mandates. Finally, the measure contains operative conditions tied to appropriations, meaning enactment of the changes would depend on funding decisions by the Legislature.

Key Dates

Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 821 Gipson Concurrence in Senate Amendments
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Assembly 3rd Reading AB821 Gipson By Pérez
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Consent Calendar 2nd AB821 Gipson
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 821 Gipson Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Education Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Education Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
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Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-1189
Career technical education: Master Plan for Career Education.
February 2023
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Mike Gipson
Mike GipsonD
California State Assembly Member
70% progression
Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (7/17/2025)

Latest Voting History

September 4, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
760379PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Extends the use of career technical education to count toward high school graduation indefinitely.
  • Imposes a state-mandated local program for districts to implement CTE credit.
  • Repeals the sunset limiting CTE credit toward graduation.
  • Authorizes reimbursement for state-mandated local costs if approved.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Mike Gipson
Mike GipsonD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Gipson’s measure would indefinitely allow career technical education to count toward the high school diploma requirement, removing the current expiration tied to UC/CSU policy changes or a July 1, 2027 deadline. The change maintains CTE as one of the eligible options alongside visual and performing arts and world language, as districts decide how to meet the graduation standard through coursework completed in grades 9–12.

Under the bill, a district that elects to let a career technical education course satisfy the graduation requirement must publicly announce the intent at a regularly scheduled meeting and explain three aspects: the district’s intent to offer CTE to fulfill that requirement; the impact on eligibility for admission to the California State University and the University of California and whether the CTE courses offered are approved to satisfy those eligibility requirements; and the distinctions, if any, between the district’s graduation requirements and CSU/UC eligibility. The bill also specifies that a CTE course must be part of a district-operated program aligned to state-adopted CTE standards and may be offered through regional centers or joint agreements; it does not obligate districts that do not currently offer CTE to create programs.

The measure also codifies ongoing requirements elsewhere in the program of study, including two physical education courses and a set of ethnic studies and personal finance provisions. Beginning in 2025–26, districts would be required to offer at least one semester of ethnic studies; for pupils graduating in 2029–30 and beyond, ethnic studies would become a graduation option in a specified timeline. Beginning with 2027–28, districts would be required to offer a separate, stand-alone one-semester personal finance course in all high schools, with further flexibility for later years to allow exemptions or adjustments as the bill specifies, including ensuring the course content covers defined topics. The proposal also envisions a process for reporting to the Legislature and contemplates possible state funding if costs are deemed mandates. Finally, the measure contains operative conditions tied to appropriations, meaning enactment of the changes would depend on funding decisions by the Legislature.

70% progression
Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (7/17/2025)

Key Dates

Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 821 Gipson Concurrence in Senate Amendments
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Assembly 3rd Reading AB821 Gipson By Pérez
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Consent Calendar 2nd AB821 Gipson
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 821 Gipson Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Education Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Education Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

September 4, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
760379PASS

Contacts

Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 1 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-1189
Career technical education: Master Plan for Career Education.
February 2023
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1