Let’s Talk - Lozano Smith Podcast

Let’s Talk - Lozano Smith Podcast


Episode 79 Student Issues: What’s New for 2024-2025

August 30, 2024

Join host Sloan Simmons as he discusses new legislative enactments and trending student issues impacting the 2024-2025 school year with Lozano Smith experts Kyle Raney and Kendra Tovey.  This episode covers a range of hot topic issues, from a new round of changes to Independent Study to AB 1955.


Show Notes & References



  • 1:17 – School recess (Senate Bill (SB) 291) (Client News Brief 45 – December 2023)
  • 3:59 – Repeal of withholding recess as a disciplinary measure
  • 6:01 – Defiance and disruption, and the Keep Kids in School Bill (SB 274) (Client News Brief 37 – November 2023) 
  • 9:39 – Changes to Independent Study (IS) (SB 153) (Client News Brief 38 – August 2024)
  • 10:29 – “Short term” versus “Long term” IS
  • 11:15 – Impacts on ADA (average daily attendance) apportionment
  • 12:47 – Asynchronous instruction/participation
  • 13:47 – The intersection of emergency closures and IS (Education Code sections 46393 and 51747)
  • 18:45 – Gender identity rights for students and the SAFETY Act (Assembly Bill (AB) 1955)
  • 20:06 – AB 1266 (2014)
  • 20:45 – California Department of Education (CDE) Legal Guidance and FAQs on AB 1266
  • 22:50 – AB 1955 and protections for LEA employees and contractors
  • 24:55 – Updates to annual notices:

    • 25:17 – Discrimination complaints related to textbooks, materials and curriculum
    • 26:20 – Non-compliance with the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) requirements
    • 27:13 – California College Guidance Initiative Data Sharing


  • 27:44 – Cell phones on campus
  • 30:24 – Mandated policies limiting smart phone use (AB 3216)

For more information on the topics discussed in this podcast, please visit our website at: www.lozanosmith.com/podcast.