The Governor of California signed AB 302 (Chapter 181, Statutes of 2026) on September 10, 2026, adding two sections to the Education Code. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools may not exclude a student from extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs because the student does not have or use addictive social media feeds, and may not use such feeds as the only way to contact students and parents. The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) listed it on October 12 among the new laws families may want to know about, and clubs and teams at Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) schools fall within its scope.
Who Is Affected by California AB 302
The law defines an “addictive feed” as a website or app that recommends, selects, or prioritizes content shared by others based on information about the user; direct private messages between users are excluded. The law affects three groups:
| Group | What AB 302 changes |
|---|---|
| Students without social media accounts | They cannot be excluded from teams or clubs for that reason |
| Parents | Schools cannot post notices only on social platforms |
| Clubs and teams | They may still use social media, but schedules, tryouts, cancellations, and other key updates need another reliable channel |
The law also encourages schools to describe this right in the student handbook. It takes effect in 2027-28, so current-year school practices are not bound by it.
What Irvine Families Can Do Now About California AB 302
Ask how a club communicates. If a club a student wants to join posts tryouts and activities only on social platforms, parents can ask the advisor whether notices also go out by email or through the school’s system. The district’s current phone rules are covered in California Phone-Free Schools Law: IUSD Policy Explained.
Choose activities with applications in mind. How club and team experience counts in college applications, and how course and activity planning works at Irvine high schools, are covered by the EDUBUS Irvine High School Guide and the University Admissions Planning service.
Sources
- NYU ED I Closes Nov. 1; Testing OptionalNYU's Early Decision I closes November 1, 2026, with decisions on December 15, and testing stays optional through 2027-28. Dates, materials, and ED rules.
- University of Washington Due Nov. 15, One EssayThe University of Washington first-year deadline is November 15, 2026, with one Common App essay and no recommendations. Key rules for Irvine seniors.
- WashU Adds Early Action, Due November 2WashU has added an Early Action round alongside Early Decision I; both close November 2, 2026. Dates for all four rounds, the 250-word essay, and the optional video.
- Claremont McKenna ED I Nov. 1; Two EssaysClaremont McKenna College's Early Decision I closes November 1, 2026, with decisions by December 15; two supplemental essays and a recommended interview. Dates and rules.
