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Textbook Size and Weight Policy

Assembly Bill 2532 (Chapter 1096, Statutes of 2002) required the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt maximum weight standards for elementary and secondary school textbooks by July 1, 2004. This legislation specifically required the SBE to take into consideration the health risks to students when devising these new standards.

Based on the study of current textbooks conducted by the California Department of Education and the recommendations of the Curriculum Commission, the SBE adopted the following threshold weights for requiring a lighter-weight option. Any textbooks that are over the recommended weight for the appropriate grade level will have to be accompanied by a lighter-weight option that districts would have the option to purchase for their students.

Grades K-4: Three Pounds
Grades 5-8: Four Pounds
Grades 9-12: Five Pounds