LONG BEACH, CA – The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) today announced that Senate Majority Leader Angelique Ashby will receive the 2026 Hart Vision Elected Official of the Year Award for her transformational leadership on education policy impacting thousands of students and families statewide.
CCSA cited Ashby’s work to protect classroom funding and advance balanced reforms, including her leadership on SB 414, legislation aimed at strengthening oversight while preserving educational opportunities for students, as well as her opposition to AB 84, a proposal that would have redirected more than $1 billion away from California’s public charter school students.
“Senator Ashby led the charge on efforts for comprehensive policy reform to ensure the protection of educational opportunities for students while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are protected and used solely for the purpose of providing those educational opportunities to students,” said Gregory McGinity, Chief Government & Political Affairs Officer at CCSA.
“Senator Ashby continues to be steadfast in her support of charter school students, families, and communities as she continues to be engaged in this debate. She has truly left nothing on the field as she has fought to defend charter schools from attack and push for both reasonable and comprehensive reform.”
The Hart Vision Elected Official of the Year Award recognizes elected leaders who demonstrate courage and commitment in advancing public education policies that expand opportunity and support families seeking high-quality public school options. Established in 1995, the award honors the legacy of former State Senator and Secretary of Education Gary K. Hart, author of California’s Charter Schools Act.
In accepting the honor, Ashby emphasized the family perspective she brings to education policymaking.
“Throughout my career in public service, my focus has been clear: safe schools, strong investment in classrooms, and systems that are accountable to students and families. I approach this work first as a parent,” Ashby said. “Like many families, I know what it feels like to search for the right school — the place where your child feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow. My family found that at our neighborhood charter school. That experience shapes how I think about education policy every single day in the State Capitol. Thank you to the California Charter Schools Association for this honor.”
CCSA will formally recognize Senator Ashby during the Opening General Session of the 2026 California Charter Schools Conference today, Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The conference is the state’s premiere charter event and delivers four days of inspirational keynotes and critical sessions with turnkey tools and strategies for educators, school leaders, and advocates.
In addition, the conference provides the latest information on charter school laws and education policy, as well as board governance best practices.
Learn more about the conference and register here.
For media inquiries, please contact: Ana Tintocalis, CCSA Vice President of Public Relations & Creative Services, [email protected] 916.666.2274
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About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.