3 Education Issues California Gubernatorial Candidates Need to Address

There’s an important election coming up in California. On June 2, Californians will select two candidates to advance to the general election for the state’s chief executive.

So far, there are nine candidates in the race, and early polling suggests it’s still anyone’s game.

There’s a lot happening in California right now. The economy, immigration, and even foreign policy are shaping voters’ opinions.

For many families, education is not an abstract policy debate, but a daily, lived experience that shapes their children’s opportunities, safety, and future. Decisions made in Sacramento directly affect what students are taught, how they are treated, and whether parents have a meaningful voice in their upbringing.

Major developments in education are on the minds of many California parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens, and voters deserve to know where candidates stand on these critical issues before casting their ballots:

1. Boys in Girls’ Sports

On July 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a lawsuit against the California Department of Education “to enforce Title IX and protect California female student athletes from unfair competition and reckless endangerment by male participation on female high-school sports teams.”

Voters should know whether the next Governor would support continuing to fight this lawsuit or instead seek a settlement with the Trump administration.

Transgender participation in sports continues to poll with about 80% of the public believing boys who identify as girls hold a distinct physical advantage in athletics and that policies allowing participation based on gender identity are unfair and unsafe.

2. Parental Exclusion Policies

Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court blocked California’s secret gender-transition policy for kids in public schools in its Mirabelli v. Bonta decision. In this case, parents are ultimately challenging California state law that prohibits school districts from passing policies that would require parents be notified when a student requests a name change, different pronouns be used other than those of their legal sex, or to use different restrooms at school.

While the California Legislature ultimately controls changes to state law, the governor plays a powerful role in shaping the debate. He/she could advocate for or against revisions, especially after a significant legal setback at the U.S. Supreme Court.

As some school districts in the state want to adopt parental notification policies, voters should understand whether the next Governor will continue to support or oppose parental rights.

3. Race-based Programming

On July 11, 2023, a civil rights complaint was filed against Los Angeles Unified School District over its “Black Student Achievement Plan,” which appeared to provide academic support to students based on race. In 2024, the complaint was dismissed after the district supposedly revised the program, opening it to all students. But a recent request to reopen the complaint by Defending Education reveals that the race-based program may still be operating in ways that raise the original concerns.

Race-based programming extends beyond K-12 education. Stanford University recently faced a civil rights complaint over its “National Board Resource Center BIPOC Cohort,” where applicants must “identify as a person of color.”

Do candidates for California Governor support these programs? Or would they direct the state attorney general to enforce civil rights laws more strictly to prevent potential racial discrimination?

Protecting women in sports, ensuring parental rights, and upholding equal treatment under the law are issues that matter to many Californians. And as California goes, so goes the nation.

Golden State voters have a rare opportunity to shape the future of education policy, but only if they clearly understand where candidates stand on these issues.