CA SB425

Repeals restrictions limiting opportunity schools to counties with average daily attendance under 8,000, allowing both county boards of education and school districts to establish opportunity schools statewide.

Defines opportunity schools as public schools serving high-risk youth, including those who are expelled, suspended, court-involved, pregnant/parenting, homeless, foster youth, habitual truants, or credit-deficient.

Requires opportunity schools to provide career and college readiness, intensive guidance services, trauma-informed practices, and connections to supportive social services.

Allows opportunity schools to be established in lieu of continuation education programs and permits partnerships with regional occupational centers, workforce development programs, YouthBuild, Job Corps, and conservation corps.

Specifies that opportunity schools shall be funded under general state funding formulas and may use independent study, with charter school-operated schools required to comply with independent study provisions and specific funding determination requirements.