Mission Statement

The California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO) is the voice of K-12 private education in California. Its primary mission is to preserve the independence of California’s private schools and to uphold parental choice in education. CAPSO, independently and in collaboration with other community and governmental institutions, is an advocate, catalyst, and creative leader for strengthening and advancing K-12 private education in California. CAPSO’s mission is based on the belief that a healthy, pluralistic society depends upon educational options, parental choice, and dialogue and collaboration between educational entities.

In This Issue...

What DOE Cuts Mean for CA Private Schools

Understanding School Choice Models

Two Opinion Pieces on Religious Charters in Anticipation of Supreme Court Ruling

Now Available: Recorded Webinar, CAPSO CO-Presents with the CDE on ESSA/ESEA

No Cost Private School PD Available

Legislative Call to Action

What I've Been Reading



What DOE Cuts Mean for CA Private Schools

With significant cuts to the federal Department of Education, many private school leaders are uncertain about the potential impact. Although the full impact of these cuts will take time to assess fully, it is essential to note that private schools receive limited services from the Department of Education, primarily through programs under ESSA/ESEA and IDEA, which focus on teacher development and resources for students with additional or specific learning needs. In light of cuts, CAPSO anticipates that delays or challenges in accessing services under ESEA and IDEA are likely due to bottlenecking of program administration at the federal level. While an act of Congress would be required to cancel these programs, there are concerns about the further impact on program administration should the programs be transferred to new departments or altered in administrative procedures. CAPSO is specifically concerned about potential delays in resolving escalated complaints about private school access to equitable participation in these federal programs, which require federal staff review and response from the Department of Education.

The Office of Non-Public Education, the main point of contact for CAPSO and other private schools, does not appear to have (yet) faced significant staffing reductions.

CAPSO is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update members on any changes that may impact private schools in the state.

Read an Article on DOE Cuts Here: NPR

Understanding School Choice Models

CAPSO has been working to educate members on school choice models, particularly in light of the growing popularity of choice programs nationwide, the current administration's executive order on school choice, and the federal revenue bill, ECCA, which would establish a federal school choice model. As outlined in CAPSO's position paper on school choice, our membership has consistently prioritized pluralism—an educational system that empowers parents to choose the best educational environment for their child, including different pedagogical models and schools with faith-based traditions.

CAPSO developed this graphic to help the private school community understand the various school choice models. It is important to note that the creation of this document does not signify an endorsement or sponsorship of all the models presented. Instead, CAPSO is focused on educating the private school community about these models so that members can confidently advocate for those that align with CAPSO's commitment to pluralism.

The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), which CAPSO supports as a member of the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), is a federal tax credit scholarship (TCS).

Learn more about school choice models and current legislation at:

www.capso.org/school-choice

Two Opinion Pieces on Religious Charter Schools in Anticipation of Supreme Court Ruling

You may recall that the February 2025 CAPSO E-Mailer highlighted the US Supreme Court taking up Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond. Arguments are expected to begin this month, with a decision anticipated by early summer. As a refresher, both cases address the legality of religiously affiliated charter schools in Oklahoma.

This is a dynamic moment in education, marked by widely differing opinions on the legality, rationale, and potential impact of these cases. Below are two perspectives on the matter. First, Greg Richmond, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, shares his viewpoint as a leader of a religious school system. Second, Ashley Rogers, Director of the Institute for Education Policy at Johns Hopkins University, offers her perspective on the international interpretation of pluralism. Both are excellent reads and worthy of time and consideration.

Read- Are Religious Charter Schools a Good Idea (Greg Richmond): CharterFolk

Read- We're the Outliers (Ashley Rogers): The74

Now Available: CAPSO & CDE- Federal Programs for Private Schools (Recording)

If you were unable to attend one of the three live webinars, or if you'd like a refresher, the recording of the CAPSO and CDE Co-Presented Webinar on Federal Programs for Private Schools is now available.

Access the Recording: Webinar, CAPSO & CDE- Federal Programs for Private Schools

No Cost Private School PD Available

The California Department of Education receives funds through Title II, Part A Equitable Services to provide no-cost professional development to private school educators.

The website, https://www.capspdnow.com, offers over 1000 no-cost courses available to schools and teachers in an on-demand format. Private school teachers and administrators can join the CaPSPD email distribution list to receive notifications about upcoming development opportunities by sending a blank email to join-private-school-professional-development@mlist.cde.ca.gov

Learn More About CaPSPDNow

Legislative Call to Action

Advocate for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to remain in the Department of Education

WHAT: Contact your representatives and emphasize that IDEA belongs in the Department of Education whereby it emphasizes access to appropriate education for students with disabilities.

WHY: IDEA is one of the few federal programs in which private schools may participate. It offers two key benefits for private school students. First, through the child find process, private school students can receive cost-free educational assessments for potential learning disabilities through the local public school district. Second, private school students with service plans (from the child find process) generate funding for private schools to access specialized services and resources to better serve and support students with learning differences.

(Source: Council for Exceptional Children) The current administration is considering whether the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) shoud be moved to the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department. "Moving IDEA programs to HHS would de-emphasize the purpose of IDEA" and reduce the essential focus of IDEA on educational access for students with learning differences.

While IDEA is primarily focused on the provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), private school students benefit from provisions that enable access to key services under IDEA. For this reason, encouraging the preservation of IDEA in the Department of Education benefits students in private and public schools and aligns with CAPSO's priority on pluralism in education.

WHEN: Action is encouraged as soon as possible

HOW: Click Here to submit an online letter to your representatives

Want to Learn More about IDEA in private schools?

Visit the CAPSO website IDEA Resource Page (accessible here)

What I've Been Reading...

An important component of my position is to read rigorously to stay current with all happenings that potentially impact private schools in California. A few articles always stand out as worthwhile, firsthand reads for private school leaders in California.

These articles do not necessarily represent CAPSO's perspective; they are resources that represent the diversity of thinking impacting and influencing the political and academic climate.

Have a few moments? Consider the following recommended links to What I've Been Reading...

Congressional Budget Cuts Threaten Free School Lunch Programs

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/congressional-budget-cuts-threaten-free-school-meals-for-millions/2025/03

Why Did Justice Barrett Step Away from Religious Charter Schools Case?

https://mailchi.mp/the74million/the-justice-the-professor-and-the-friendship-that-could-rattle-a-pivotal-religious-charter-school-case?e=77ba5c97e9

A Loophole in CA Law Makes it Hard to Prosecute Threats Against Schools

https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/california-school-shooting-threats...

Feds Shutter CA Civil Rights Office

https://edsource.org/2025/feds-shutter-california-civil-rights-office-the-students-are-going-to-suffer/728278

New Legislation Would Create an Office of Civil Rights in the CDE

https://edsource.org/updates/legislation-would-create-office-of-civil-rights-at-cde

Crime Trends in California

https://www.ppic.org/publication/crime-trends-in-california/?utm_source=ppic&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=epub