PRISM for LGBTQ+ Students

California Education Code (EC) Section 218.3(b)(1) requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to finalize the development of online training curriculum to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) cultural competency training for teachers and other certificated employees on or before July 1, 2025. In addition, the CDE is required to develop an online training delivery platform to host the training content.

California EC Section 218.3(c) states that beginning with the 2025–26 school year, and continuing through the 2029–30 school year, a local educational agency (LEA) shall provide and require a minimum of one hour of LGBTQ+ cultural competency training annually to all teachers and other certificated employees serving pupils in grades seven to twelve over the five-year period.

PRISM: Providing Relevant, Inclusive Support that Matters for LGBTQ+ Students

CDE has contracted with the Los Angeles County Office of Education to develop the Providing Relevant Inclusive Support that Matters for LGBTQ+ Students (PRISM) program. PRISM is a six-course online training with content targeted to certificated educators to provide resources to bolster support for LGBTQ+ youth in California. Supported by Assembly Bill 493 (AB-493) , known as The Safe and Supportive Schools Act (2019), which aims to support LGBTQ+ students facing bullying, harassment, discrimination, or lack of acceptance at home or school. These courses will be available for free, and hosted in a learning management system beginning July 2025.

Related Content

Education Code Section 218, Chapter 220, Statutes of 2023 (Assembly Bill 5, Chapter 220, Section 218 )

Frequently Asked Questions

For additional Information about the LGBTQ+ cultural competency training please visit Frequently Asked Questions.

Timeline for Training Implementation