CA schools contend with trans rights, AI and student data privacy
CA schools contend with trans rights, AI and student data privacy
https://calmatters.org/newsletter/student-data-fine/
Publish Date: 2026-03-04 09:00:00
Source Domain: calmatters.org
Students work on their tablets in a classroom at Achieve Charter School of Paradise in Paradise on May 21, 2025. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters
California’s K-12 schools are grappling with the latest U.S. Supreme Court ruling, a nationwide artificial intelligence contest and personal data violations. Let’s get into it.
- LGBTQ forced outing law blocked: The high court has temporarily blocked a California law that prohibits school districts from enacting policies requiring teachers to notify parents if their kid is transgender. Parents rights proponents celebrated the ruling, with attorneys for the Thomas More Society — the law firm that filed suit against the state — calling the decision a “watershed moment.” Meanwhile, advocates for transgender youth pledge to push forward, and a spokesperson for the California Attorney General said the state is “committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming school environment for all students.” Read more from CalMatters’ Carolyn Jones.
- AI contest: In August President Donald Trump issued a nationwide challenge to students to develop an AI project that addresses an issue in their community. Winners will receive $10,000 and the call was part of the administration’s push to boost AI education. But with some California school districts moving quickly to encourage participation, and others having never heard of the challenge, the uneven rollout of Trump’s directive underscores the deepening inequities of AI education. Read more from Z. Waite for CalMatters.
- Collecting data on students: The California Privacy Protection Agency is fining a ticket service company for $1.1 million over its failure to give students and families a way to opt out of their data collection. PlayOn has contracted with roughly 1,400 California schools to coordinate ticket sales for school sports games and plays. But to use it, users had to agree to the company’s privacy policy, which…
