This section states that any official document like a notice, report, or record required by the education code must be written in English unless it's specifically stated otherwise. Additionally, if the law requires sending any communication by registered mail, doing it via certified mail is also acceptable and considered following the law.
Writing includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. Whenever any notice, report, statement, or record is required or authorized by this code, it shall be made in writing in the English language unless it is expressly provided otherwise.
Wherever any notice or other communication is required by this code to be mailed by registered mail by or to any person or corporation, the mailing of such notice or other communication by certified mail shall be deemed to be a sufficient compliance with the requirements of law.
recorded message comprehension English language official documents registered mail certified mail communication requirements notice requirements sufficient compliance document language requirements
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This law section defines "Section" as referring to a part of this specific legal code, unless another law is specifically mentioned.
“Section” means a section of this code unless some other statute is specifically mentioned.
definition interpretation section reference legal code statute cross-reference terminology specific mention code designation legal section context clarification
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This law means that when we talk about something happening now, it also covers things that happened in the past and will happen in the future. Similarly, if we talk about the future, it can also mean the present.
The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future, the present.
tense interpretation temporal language present tense past tense future tense language inclusivity grammatical construction legal document interpretation tense flexibility time references legal language rules of usage interpretation guideline
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This law states that whenever the masculine form is used, it also refers to the feminine. So, 'he' includes 'she.'
The masculine gender includes the feminine.
gender-inclusive language masculine includes feminine language interpretation pronoun usage gender equality in statutes inclusive legal terminology textual interpretation gender neutrality legal language statutory language interpretation
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This law clarifies that when California legal language mentions a 'spouse,' it also means a 'registered domestic partner,' ensuring equal treatment under the law.
“Spouse” includes “registered domestic partner,” as required by Section 297.5 of the Family Code.
spouse definition registered domestic partner equal treatment Family Code 297.5 marriage equality domestic partnership legal recognition spousal rights California law partner inclusion
(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 50, Sec. 27. (SB 1005) Effective January 1, 2017.)
This law means that when you see a word in singular form, it can also mean more than one, and vice versa.
The singular number includes the plural, and the plural, the singular.
singular and plural interpretation rules word usage language consistency statutory language reading statutes flexible language legal interpretation number inclusivity textual reading law reading legislative context word interpretation linguistic clarity
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This section explains that whenever the word "shall" is used, it means something is required, while "may" means it's optional.
“Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.
mandatory permissive shall may requirements optional actions obligatory discretionary legal language interpretation statutory terms
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This section explains that in the context of this law, whenever someone refers to an 'oath,' it also covers affirmations. This means both sworn oaths and solemn affirmations are considered equivalent.
“Oath” includes affirmation.
oath affirmation legal affirmation sworn oath equivalence legal context California legal terms sworn statement solemn affirmation legal oath equivalence
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This section clarifies that when the term 'State' is used, it generally refers to California. However, if it's in reference to different parts of the U.S., it also includes the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
“State” means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. In the latter case, it includes the District of Columbia and the territories.
State definition California District of Columbia U.S. territories terminology different parts of the United States California context geographical reference legal definitions interpretation of 'State'
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This section defines the term “governing board” to include different types of school boards, such as those for school districts and community colleges, as well as city and county boards of education.
“Governing board” means board of school trustees, community college board of trustees, and city, and city and county board of education.
governing board school trustees community college board board of education trustees school districts education governance city board county board education boards
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This law clarifies that the term 'city superintendent of schools' also refers to the superintendent of schools in a district that is located entirely or partially within a city and county.
“City superintendent of schools” includes the superintendent of schools of a district lying wholly or partly within a city and county.
city superintendent schools district city and county education district superintendent role partially located entirely located school administration regional school district
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This part of the law clarifies that whenever it mentions 'any school district' or 'all school districts,' it refers to every type of school district except for community college districts.
“Any school district” and “all school districts” mean school districts of every kind or class, except a community college district.
school district community college district types of districts education classification district definitions California education district categories school system exclusions K-12 districts
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
A "union school district" is formed when two or more school districts in the same county join together.
“Union school district” means a district composed of two or more school districts situated in the same county.
union school district school districts same county district formation educational district district combination county-based districts school governance district mergers local education structure
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
A 'joint union school district' is a type of school district that includes two or more school districts located in different counties, either fully or partly.
“Joint union school district” means a district composed of two or more school districts situated wholly or in part in different counties.
joint union school district multiple counties two or more school districts school district composition different counties educational districts district collaboration inter-county district school governance district boundaries
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
A unified school district in California is one that offers education for all grade levels from kindergarten (or first grade) through twelfth grade. These districts can cover areas that span across more than one county.
A unified school district means a district maintaining grades kindergarten or 1 through 12. A unified district may comprise territory in more than one county.
unified school district kindergarten grades 1-12 cross-county territory education levels district definition grade levels multiple counties school system structure primary education secondary education district boundaries school district
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
A 'city school district' is a school district that is located entirely or partially within a city and county.
“City school district” includes a school district lying wholly or partly within a city and county.
city school district school district definition district location city and county geographical boundaries educational district partly within city wholly within city school jurisdiction district classification
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
When terms like 'high school district' are mentioned in the education code, they generally cover union high school districts, joint union high school districts, and county high school districts, unless it’s clearly meant to be different.
Whenever “high school district” is used in this code, unless a contrary intent appears, it includes union high school districts, joint union high school districts, and county high school districts.
high school district union high school districts joint union high school districts county high school districts education code interpretation district inclusion terminology definition contrary intent California education system district classification
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This law defines what a union high school district is. It says that if a high school district, not including city high schools, is made up of two or more elementary school districts that are all in the same county, then it is called a union high school district, and this should be part of its name.
A high school district, other than a city high school district, comprising two or more elementary school districts lying wholly in the same county is a union high school district, and such designation shall be part of its name.
union high school district high school district elementary school districts county district designation non-city high school district naming county-based district school district structure educational district classification
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
If a school district covers areas in more than one county, it is called a joint school district.
A school district lying in more than one county is a joint school district.
school district joint school district multiple counties cross-county school area district boundaries county jurisdiction district organization multi-county management educational district regional school districts
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This law clarifies that when the term 'State Board' is mentioned in education laws, it typically refers to the State Board of Education, unless the context suggests a different meaning.
“State Board” or “state board” whenever used in this code means the State Board of Education, unless the context requires otherwise.
State Board State Board of Education education laws context-specific terminology clarification California Education Code interpretation definition education terminology
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 118, Sec. 1. Effective July 25, 2005.)
In this part of the law, whenever you see the word 'department,' it refers to the State Department of Education unless the context indicates something else.
The word “department” whenever used in this code, unless the context otherwise requires, means the State Department of Education.
State Department of Education department definition context requirement education governance terminology clarification code interpretation State Education authorities educational legislation code language contextual understanding
(Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1059, Sec. 1. Effective September 26, 1980.)
In the context of school districts and educational agencies, the terms 'certificated' and 'certified' mean the same thing.
With respect to the personnel of school districts and other educational agencies, the terms “certificated” and “certified” have the same meaning.
certificated personnel certified personnel school districts educational agencies personnel terminology teacher certification educator qualification terminology same meaning certification equivalence educational staff terms
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)
This law defines 'world language' as any language that is not English, which also includes American Sign Language, and considers it the same as 'foreign language.'
“World language” means any language other than English, including American Sign Language, and is synonymous with “foreign language.”
world language foreign language American Sign Language non-English language language definition California education language curriculum ASL inclusion linguistic diversity language education policy
(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 865, Sec. 2. (AB 2319) Effective January 1, 2019.)
This section clarifies that in specific parts of the law mentioned, whenever the term 'county' is used, it also refers to a 'city and county.' Essentially, if those parts of the law are talking about counties, they mean it to include cities that function as both a city and a county.
“County” or “counties” as used in Sections 2300, 12300 to 12307, inclusive, 41000 to 41964, inclusive, 42100 to 42128, inclusive, 46000 to 46392, inclusive, 84000 to 84850.5, inclusive, and 85000 to 85430, inclusive, whichever are in effect, includes a city and county.
city and county legal definition inclusive sections Section 2300 Section 12300 Section 41000 Section 42100 Section 46000 Section 84000 Section 85000 administrative law jurisdiction municipal entities California law clarification
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 7.)
This section explains how state entities in California should adopt building standards. When creating rules that involve building standards, they must follow specific procedures outlined in another part of the Health and Safety Code unless certain exceptions apply. If a building standard is adopted incorrectly, it won't be valid. Additionally, building standards that were adopted before January 1, 1980, will remain valid only until January 1, 1985, unless they are updated or replaced.
Wherever, pursuant to this code, any state department, officer, board, agency, committee, or commission is authorized to adopt rules and regulations, such rules and regulations which are building standards, as defined in Section 18909 of the Health and Safety Code, shall be adopted pursuant to the provisions of Part 2.5 (commencing with Section 18901) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code unless the provisions of Sections 18930, 18933, 18938, 18940, 18943, 18944, and 18945 of the Health and Safety Code are expressly excepted in the provision of this code under which the authority to adopt the specific building standard is delegated. Any building standard adopted in violation of this section shall have no force or effect. Any building standard adopted prior to January 1, 1980, pursuant to this code and not expressly excepted by statute from such provisions of the State Building Standards Law shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1985, or until adopted, amended, or superseded by provisions published in the State Building Standards Code, whichever occurs sooner.
building standards state entities adoption procedures Health and Safety Code invalid standards exceptions regulations compliance State Building Standards Law pre-1980 standards expiration date rules adoption California state departments violation consequences standard amendments
(Enacted by Stats. 1979, Ch. 1152.)
A 'frontier school district' is defined as a district that either has fewer than 600 students attending on average, or is located in a county where the population density is less than 10 people per square mile.
“Frontier school district” means a school district that meets either of the following conditions:
(a)CA Education Code § 94(a) The total number of pupils in average daily attendance at all of the schools served by the school district is fewer than 600.
(b)CA Education Code § 94(b) Each county in which a school operated by the school district is located has a total population density fewer than 10 persons per square mile.
frontier school district average daily attendance fewer than 600 students population density 10 persons per square mile rural education sparsely populated areas small school districts remote school districts educational service areas
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 83, Sec. 1. (AB 2337) Effective January 1, 2023.)
When the term 'superintendent' is used in this section of the law, it usually refers to the Superintendent of Public Instruction unless it clearly means something else based on context.
“Superintendent” or “superintendent” whenever used in this code means the Superintendent of Public Instruction, unless the context requires otherwise.
Superintendent Superintendent of Public Instruction context interpretation public instruction education code terminology definition educational leadership code interpretation official title context requirements
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 896, Sec. 1. Effective September 29, 2004.)
This section states that the term "at-promise" is equivalent to "at-risk," aligning it with its common understanding and federal guidelines.
“At-promise” has the same meaning as “at-risk,” as that term is generally understood, and consistent with federal law.
at-promise at-risk federal law consistency California education terminology educational equity student support vulnerable students underprivileged youth terminology clarification education policy risk assessment in education educational support services student welfare equity in education federal education standards
(Added by Stats. 2019, Ch. 800, Sec. 1. (AB 413) Effective January 1, 2020.)
This law section clarifies that within California's education regulations, the term 'emotional disturbance' used in federal regulations for special education services can also be referred to as 'emotional disability' under state law.
The term “emotional disturbance,” as defined in Section 300.8(c)(4) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and used throughout this code and the California Code of Regulations, as that term relates to the provision of special education services, may also be known as “emotional disability” under state law.
emotional disturbance emotional disability special education services California education regulations state law Section 300.8(c)(4) Title 34 CFR Code of Federal Regulations special education California Code of Regulations
(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 149, Sec. 1. (AB 2173) Effective January 1, 2025.)
