STATEMENT BY RIGEL S. MASSARO ON MAY REVISE TEACHER WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS

May 9, 2019

Contact: 
Rigel S. Massaro, Senior Staff Attorney
Duc Luu, Communications Manager

Governor’s May Revise Addresses Teacher Shortage and Teacher and Administrator Quality

Public Advocates applauds the Governor’s investments to address the teacher shortage and better equip our teacher and administrator workforce to meet student needs. We appreciate that the Administration continues investing in these critical areas beyond the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee. Specifically, we enthusiastically support:

• $89.8 million in one-time non-Prop 98 General Fund to provide 4,500 loan repayments of up to $20,000 for newly credentialed teachers to work in high-need schools for at least four years. The Assumption Program of Loans for Education was defunded in 2012—despite research pointing to its effectiveness. Public Advocates supported AB 853 (Rodriguez) and applauds the Assemblymember and the Governor for their leadership on this important issue, and for valuing equity by targeting this investment to our high-need schools. We suggest that the incentives of scholarships—$100 million for $20,000 awards per qualifying teacher candidate in AB 1623 (R. Rivas & O’Donnell)—would complement this effort and meaningfully address the staggering shortage that continues to disproportionately impact low-income students and students of color.
• $44.8 million in one-time non-Prop 98 General Fund to invest in teacher professional development as part of the state system of support, and the focus on building “capacity around inclusive practices, social emotional learning, computer science, and restorative practices as well as subject matter competency, including STEM.” This investment places much needed focus on teacher support in the state’s new accountability system. It is our sincere hope that school districts and county offices of education will consider state assessment results, suspension rates, varying levels of standards implementation and community input—through teacher, student and family surveys—to craft meaningful professional development to enhance students’ opportunity to learn, especially for students of color, English learners and students with disabilities.
• $13.9 million in ongoing federal funds to invest in professional learning opportunities for K-12 school administrators to address student needs, provided in alignment with the state’s new accountability system. Quality, stable school principals are key to improving student academic outcomes, attracting a strong teacher workforce, and building authentic community relationships. With this investment, California joins a minority of other states leveraging federal funds to support strong school principals to understand and meet students’ diverse needs. Building the capacity of our school leaders is a critical component to the success of California’s new accountability system under the Local Control Funding Formula.

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Public Advocates Inc. is a nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transportation equity, and climate justice.