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AB 1053

Educational technology: evaluation and selection.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rick Zbur

AB 1053 requires LEAs to convene teacher- and community-involved evaluation groups and publicly evaluate educational technology before adoption, weighing cost and pupil wellbeing.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 1053

AB 1053 — Educational technology: evaluation and selection (Zbur)

Status: In committee — Held under submission (as of 2025-05-23)
Introduced: February 20, 2025

Purpose / intent

AB 1053 seeks to strengthen local oversight, teacher and community involvement, and risk assessment when school systems adopt digital instructional tools. It directs the State Superintendent to publish best practices and requires local education agencies to convene evaluation workgroups and involve teachers substantially before adopting certain educational technologies or digital supplemental instructional materials.

Key provisions

  • Requires local educational agency (LEA) governing boards/bodies (school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and joint powers authorities) to:
    • Provide for substantial teacher involvement in the evaluation and selection of “educational technology” that is required for use by all teachers or all paraprofessionals.
    • Promote parent and community involvement in that evaluation and selection process.
  • Before adopting or spending public funds for digital supplemental instructional materials, an LEA must:
    • Convene a publicly noticed workgroup (composition specified in the bill) to evaluate the proposed materials.
    • Consider the workgroup’s written evaluation report before final adoption. Evaluations must address, among other items, cost and the expected impact on pupils’ behavioral health.
  • Definitions: “Educational technology” is defined as educational software (downloadable or web‑based) or other digital formats used to manage instruction, attendance, grades/assessment data, notifications, and parent communication.
  • State Superintendent duties: By January 1, 2027, develop and post on the California Department of Education website best practices and resources to guide LEAs in evaluating educational technology required for all teachers/paraprofessionals.
    • Required best practice topics include user interface/workload impact, learning design, digital pedagogy, inclusivity/equity, assessment and data use, and privacy/security compliance with state/federal law.
  • Starting January 1, 2027, LEAs are encouraged (but not mandated) to follow the Superintendent’s best practices.

Who is affected

  • Primary: LEAs (school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, JPA education providers), teachers, paraprofessionals, parents, pupils.
  • Secondary: Vendors of educational software and digital supplemental materials; local governing boards required to convene workgroups.

Procedural / fiscal notes

  • The bill was introduced Feb 20, 2025, and progressed through Assembly Education and Appropriations committees (last action: held under submission, 05/23/2025).
  • The measure declares it may create a state‑mandated local program; if the Commission on State Mandates finds costs are mandated, reimbursement would follow existing statutory procedures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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