Relative to the California Day of the Teacher.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Addis and 74 co-sponsors

Ceremonially proclaim May 13, 2026 as California Day of the Teacher to recognize teachers and encourage community observance, without creating new funding or mandates.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 122, Statutes of 2026.

#californiadayoftheteacher

1. Purpose and Intent

ACR 190 proclaims a state observance recognizing the California Day of the Teacher.

Introduced by Assembly Member Liz Ortega on April 30, 2026, the measure designates May 13, 2026, as the California Day of the Teacher.

The resolution emphasizes honoring teachers for their dedication, resilience, and impact on students, and calls on Californians to observe the day by recognizing teachers and the teaching profession.

2. Key Provisions and Provisions Changes

Proclamation: May 13, 2026, is proclaimed the California Day of the Teacher.

Observance Encouragement: The Legislature urges all Californians—school districts, parents, public officials, and the community—to observe the day and recognize the contributions of teachers.

Contextual Justifications (Background): The digest outlines systemic challenges facing teachers, including workloads, under-resourcing, budget constraints, and wage/benefit gaps, supported by referenced survey data from the California Teachers Association (CTA) regarding resource shortages, funding, class sizes, and educator concerns.

Historical and Cultural Context: Notes that the California Day of the Teacher has been observed since 1982, inspired by El Día del Maestro in Latin American contexts, and that the national Day of the Teacher occurs on May 5, 2026.

Scope of Observance: The resolution frames the observance as a collaborative effort among districts, families, and the broader community to honor teachers.

3. Affected Entities and Impacts

Statewide Beneficiaries: All California K-12 teachers and educators, as well as school districts and communities that participate in recognizing and celebrating teaching.

Non-Binding Policy Effect: The proclamation is ceremonial and symbolic rather than creating new statutory requirements or funding mechanisms.

Broader Implications: The measure uses data from educator surveys to underscore the importance of supporting teachers, potentially informing future policy discussions on resources, pay, recruitment, and retention, though the resolution itself does not authorize funding or programmatic changes.

4. Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction: April 30, 2026.

Proclaimed Date: May 13, 2026 (California Day of the Teacher).

Legislative Action: The measure is a concurrent resolution, meaning it does not become law but expresses the sentiment and formal recognition of both chambers.

Communication: The Chief Clerk of the Assembly is instructed to transmit copies of the resolution to the author for distribution.

5. Supporting Context

Sponsorship: Co-sponsored by Assembly Member Liz Ortega.

Rationale Highlights: The digest references teacher shortages (over 10,000 vacancies), classroom resource and funding concerns, and the importance of smaller class sizes and diversity in the teaching workforce as values contributing to student success.

This summary presents ACR 190 as a ceremonial resolution aimed at formally recognizing and honoring California's teachers on May 13, 2026, while highlighting ongoing concerns about resources, funding, and teacher retention without creating new mandates or funding authorities.

Bill