State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Attorney General Rob Bonta Issue Updated Guidance on Graduates’ Rights to Wear Tribal Regalia

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent a letter this week to state school superintendents, charter school administrators, and high school principals reminding them of students’ rights to wear Tribal regalia and adornments at graduation ceremonies.

As amended, California Education Code Section 35183.1 allows students to wear traditional Tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at school graduation ceremonies or related school events. It also mandates that a local educational agency (LEA) shall not require a preapproval process nor require a student to wear a cap if that cap is incompatible with the adornment.

In the letter, Superintendent Thurmond and Attorney General Bonta remind school administrators of the rights named in Section 35183.1 while also encouraging schools to implement policies that embrace culturally inclusive ceremonies and preserve the rights of Native students.

“High school graduation marks a major milestone for our students and for their whole families. Our Tribal students deserve the opportunity to honor their culture and heritage as they celebrate this important achievement, and they are allowed to do so by law,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “Recognizing and respecting these traditions strengthens our school communities, affirms identity, and promotes inclusion. We encourage LEAs to review local policies for alignment with the updated law, communicate clearly with students and families about these rights, strengthen partnerships with Tribal Nations and American Indian communities, and explore opportunities for students to honor their heritage.”

“Students study and persevere for years to arrive at graduation day—a day that should be celebrated, not restricted. These momentous occasions provide an opportunity to recognize personal achievements, but also to honor the generational support and enduring ancestral legacy behind each student’s journey,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This year, as many students walk across the commencement stage, they will use their regalia to carry their family heritage with them. I urge all educators to embrace these actions and uphold policies that preserve the rights of Native students and promote inclusivity—California law requires it.”

In 2025, Superintendent Thurmond and Attorney General Bonta issued guidance on graduates’ rights to wear Tribal regalia as written in Assembly Bill 1248 (Gloria, 2018), which added Section 35183.1. Since then, AB 1369 (Ramos, 2025) amended the specifics of Section 35183.1 to further protect Native American students’ ability to wear Tribal regalia, or other cultural or religious adornments, and to address specific issues that had arisen regarding compliance with the law.

Specifically, the amendments extend a student’s authorization to wear an adornment to school events that are related to graduation and clarify that what constitutes recognized objects of religious or cultural significance is to be determined by the student and the student’s family. The amendments also prohibit an LEA from requiring a preapproval process for a student to exercise their rights to wear an adornment and to wear a cap if the cap is incompatible with the adornment. The definition of adornment has also been revised to mean something attached to, worn with, or worn in place of the cap.

The letter details the specifics of Section 35183.1 and describes how the law was amended by AB 1369. It reminds school administrators of students’ rights to wear Tribal regalia and adornments at graduation ceremonies and emphasizes that only limited circumstances can justify restricting this right.

The letter to LEAs regarding tribal regalia is available on the California Department of Education’s Year 2026 Letters web page.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100