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News and views from a private school perspective
CAPSO
Monthly E-Mailer
California Association of Private School Organizations
| | The Voice of Private Education in California | |
Subscriber (non-member) Version
CAPSO distributes a monthly E-Mailer to both members and subscribers. While both versions include important national and state legislative updates, current events, and perspectives, the member E-Mailer contains additional exclusive content and resources.
If you are a non-member subscriber, no action is required.
If you are a CAPSO member organization or a CAPSO member organization school leader and are receiving this E-mailer, you are currently receiving the subscriber (non-member) version. To receive the full CAPSO member E-Mailer, please click here to update your status and link your email address to your CAPSO member organization.
Click here to update your email and status (takes less than 1 minute)
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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.
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In This Issue...
Legislative Update
Legislative "Fix" for Private School Fingerprinting Challenges
More News Regarding the EFTC
PowerSchool Naviance Wiretapping Settlement
Private School Survey (PSS) Reminder
Apply to Become a Green Ribbon School
No-Cost Private School PD through Title IIA Funds
Legislative Call to Action
What I've Been Reading
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Legislative Update: CAPSO Lobbying and Advocacy for Private Schools
The California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO) continues to play a leading role in advocating for the interests of private schools across the state. This legislative session, CAPSO is actively monitoring 60 bills with potential implications for private education.
Through unified member engagement and proactive lobbying, CAPSO has already successfully engaged with multiple legislators to manage private school inclusion and omission in significant pieces of legislation. These outcomes, which will be covered in more detail in the end-of-session legislative review form CAPSO, highlight the power of advocacy and the importance of proactive legislative engagement on behalf of the private school community.
CAPSO's efforts extend beyond monitoring. CAPSO meets with legislators, submits formal position letters, and forms strategic partnerships with aligned organizations. By staying deeply engaged at every stage of the legislative process, CAPSO ensures that private school perspectives are heard and respected in Sacramento.
A robust legislative roundup will be forthcoming in the June E-Mailer. Meanwhile, members are encouraged to view CAPSO's real-time legislation tracker, offering up-to-date information on bills relevant to private education. The tracker can be accessed through the link below.
Visit the CAPSO Legislation Tracker here
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Legislative "Fix" for Private School Fingerprinting Challenges
In 2023, an FBI audit identified concerns regarding access to its national criminal history database, prompting changes that impacted private schools. As access was adjusted, private schools experienced new reporting limitations—particularly related to out-of-state (OOS) background checks. Beginning in 2024, private schools no longer received (1) detailed information from out-of-state fingerprinting reports or (2) notifications of subsequent arrests for incidents occurring outside of California. Because FBI reports are the primary mechanism for capturing OOS criminal history, these changes created a serious gap: without information about the nature of an offense, private schools are often unable to make informed hiring decisions for out-of-state candidates. Additionally, schools may not be notified if current employees commit disqualifying crimes outside of California.
To address this issue, access to the California Department of Justice’s CalVECHS system—an approved platform for background checks and subsequent arrest notifications—is essential. However, enabling private school participation requires targeted updates to both the California Education Code and Penal Code. CAPSO has been actively collaborating with the Department of Justice and legislative committee consultants to define the necessary statutory changes.
A proposed solution to this issue is proposed in AB 2796, which effectively amends the California Education Code(s) and Penal Code(s), allowing private school participation in CalVECHS. CAPSO has reached unanimity for registering support for this bill and has offered support to the Department of Justice as this piece of legislation moves through the process.
Read the Full Text of AB 2796 here
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More News Regarding the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC)
Content Source: Council for American Private Education
US Senators Introduce EFTC Repeal Bill
Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and 28 of their colleagues have introduced legislation in the United States Senate to repeal the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). In their release announcing the bill, the senators refer to the EFTC as a "private school voucher program," even though it is not a voucher program and public school students are eligible for EFTC scholarships.
The title of the "Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act" appears to suggest that EFTC scholarships are funded by public dollars, EFTC scholarships are funded by private donations, hence the need for scholarship-granting organizations to raise money. The legislation is not expected to receive consideration this year.
Click here to learn more about the EFTC
Click here to read the press release
AFPI Releases EFTC Funding Loss Calculator
The America First Policy Institute has created a funding loss calculator to demonstrate how much money states will be missing out on if they decline to participate in the EFTC. According to AFPI, "the 23 states currently not participating are projected to forego nearly $23 billion in charitable educational donations between 2027 and 2029, resulting in more than 4.1 million lost scholarship opportunities."
According to the calculator, California's three-year funding loss projection is $4.91B.
Access the Funding Loss Calculator here
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PowerSchool Naviance Wiretapping Settlement
A recent $17.25 million class-action settlement involving PowerSchool’s Naviance platform is drawing national attention to student data privacy and emerging “wiretapping” claims in education technology. The lawsuit alleged that Naviance transmitted sensitive student information—including communications and personal data—to third-party vendors without proper consent, raising potential violations of federal and state privacy laws.
For schools, the case signals increasing legal exposure tied to third-party tracking and analytics tools embedded in widely used platforms, as well as an expanding interpretation of “wiretapping” laws to include digital communications in ed tech environments. It also reinforces the importance of clear consent practices, careful vendor oversight, and transparency in how student data is collected and shared. This case reflects a broader trend of growing litigation in this area.
Schools that have used Naviance or similar platforms may wish to review any communications received regarding the settlement and consult with legal counsel. More broadly, this is a timely opportunity for schools to review their data privacy policies, vendor agreements, and consent procedures to ensure alignment with evolving legal expectations. Additional information about the settlement and resources for similar litigation can be found in the full article, linked below.
Read the Full Article Here: Fisher Phillips
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Private School Survey (PSS) Reminder
The Private School Survey (PSS) is a biennial, national survey that collects data on the number of private schools, students, and teachers across the United States. While participation is voluntary, the California Association of Private School Organizations strongly encourages schools to complete the PSS as a powerful way to demonstrate that private education is vibrant and engaged nationwide.
It is important to distinguish the Private School Survey (PSS) from California’s Private School Affidavit (PSA). The PSA is a required state filing for private schools in California, while the PSS provides a voluntary—but critically important—national snapshot of private education. Together, they serve different but complementary purposes.
At a time when federal policy conversations are increasingly active, ensuring that private schools are fully represented in national data matters. Participation in the PSS helps federal leaders understand the true scope and impact of private education—reinforcing that it is a significant and valued part of the American education landscape, with a strong and engaged community behind it.
More information about the PSS can be found below.
(From the US Department of Education- Office of Non-Public Education)
What is the Private School Survey (PSS)?
The PSS is designed to generate biennial data on the total number of private schools, students, and teachers, and to build a universe of private schools to serve as a sampling frame of private schools for the Institute of Education Statistics’ (IES) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) sample surveys and assessments. It also generates data for the NCES search for private schools resource. The PSS is administered by the U.S. Census Bureau (Census) on behalf of NCES.
Why is the PSS Critical?
- PSS data provides a snapshot of the contribution private schools make to K-12 education in the United States.
- Responses ensure every private school’s NCES-ID remains active and on the NCES school search tool which parents use to find local private schools that meet their needs.
- Completing the PSS is voluntary, but the Office of Non-Public Education strongly encourages K-12 private schools to complete it so that policy makers have access to accurate and timely data on private schools.
What’s Happening with the PSS this Spring?
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Schools may have received email invitations to complete the survey earlier this year from pss@census.gov, and can still complete it online via the original email.
- The survey only takes approximately 20 minutes.
- Between March 20 and May 22, Census staff will call and visit schools who have not completed the PSS.
Lose Your Original Email, or Need Other Help?
Schools may contact pss@census.gov or 1-888-329-5890 for assistance.
Additional Information
For more information, please visit Private School Universe Survey (PSS).
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Apply to Become a Green Ribbon School!
Did you know that private schools that participate in the Green Ribbon School process have the opportunity to be recognized at both the State and national levels?
The Green Ribbon School process is an opportunity to showcase efforts and be recognized for progress towards sustainability across three pillars:
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Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs;
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Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
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Pillar III: Provide effective environmental and sustainability education
Each June, the California Department of Education launches the California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) application process, inviting public and private schools, districts, and county offices of education to showcase their achievements in sustainability. Participating schools have the opportunity to demonstrate achievement and earn points in pillar categories recognized in one of four tiered levels:
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Bronze Level (Entry Level Commitment): 55-64.9%
- Silver Level (Mid Integration): 65-74.9%
- Gold Level (Full Integration): 75% or better
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Green Achiever: Exemplary Achievement with Full Integration - Green achievers are nominated for Federal recognition in the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Program (ED-GRS).
Schools don't need to wait to apply until they have met full integration. Schools that apply will be supported with mentorship and resources, and schools with a 55%+ will be recognized with Bronze achievement by the California Department of Education!
Ready to Learn More?
California Green Ribbon Schools Achievers and Applicants Network: The CA Green Ribbon School Achiever and Applicant Network meets quarterly and aims to unite past, current, and future CA Green Ribbon Schools applicants dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and programs within their school communities. The network gives participants the chance to network with each other to inspire and share best practices.
The application opens in June and schools are encouraged to begin learning about the application process starting in January. A comprehensive toolkit is available. Use the link below to learn more!
Green Ribbon School Toolkit and Resources
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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
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Legislative Call to Action | | | |
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Invite Your Legislators to School This Spring
As we move deeper into the legislative season, this is a valuable time to remind policymakers that private schools are a vibrant and essential part of their districts—and that our school communities are their constituents.
While CAPSO regularly provides legislators with comprehensive lists of member schools and engages in legislative advocacy on your behalf, one of the most meaningful and lasting impressions comes from experiencing a school firsthand. A visit to your campus allows legislators to see the impact of private education in their own communities.
Spring and end-of-year events offer an ideal opportunity to extend an invitation. Consider reviewing your upcoming calendar for events—such as student showcases, performances, graduations, or community gatherings—where a legislator’s presence would be both appropriate and mutually beneficial.
How to Identify and Contact Your Local Representatives
You can look up your State Senator and Assemblymember here:
https://www.capso.org/contact-your-california-legislators
Invitations can be extended via email or phone. To support your outreach, CAPSO has provided a simple email template you can customize for your school:
access template here
A personal invitation from a constituent school can make a meaningful difference in helping legislators better understand and support private education in California.
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What I've Been Reading... | | | | Stay part of the conversation and follow our page on LinkedIn! | | The California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO) uses AI as a tool to support administrative and operational efficiency. All AI-generated content is subject to professional expertise, careful review, and formal approval before use. | | | | |
