PRESS RELEASE
June 26, 2020
Contact: Isabel Alegria, ialegria@publicadvocates.org; (510) 541-5428
PUBLIC ADVOCATES’ STATEMENT ON EDUCATION PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE BUDGET
The current crises facing California have made clear what many of us know to be true: our success and the prosperity of our state and nation depend on our public schools’ capacity to serve as beacons of light and hope that spark opportunity for all students. When schools across the state closed down in response to COVID-19, school communities, particularly low-income students and families of color, lost access to schools as critical hubs of connection, community resources and learning. Now, as we plan for the re-opening of schools in light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and elevated calls to address anti-Blackness and structural racism in our educational institutions, we look to state lawmakers and Governor Newsom to put into place a budget plan that centers students of color and contributes to a successful re-opening of our schools.
We support several positive steps taken in the final budget proposal affecting K-12 schools including:
- The decision to preserve spending for K-12 schools at current levels in recognition that the COVID-19 and economic crises have had a devastating impact on millions of students, their families, teachers and schools throughout California.
- A significant investment of funding targeting learning loss and COVID-19 related costs, including $2.9 billion allocated to target districts using an equity formula recommended by Public Advocates and the Equity Coalition.
- Requirements of learning and attendance spending plans that will require districts to engage stakeholders at the same level required under the current Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) process; provide academic support especially to Black and Brown students, fulfill special needs requirements; and provide English learners with language development.
- The inclusion of requirements that Supplemental and Concentration Funds be fully accounted for in the new learning and attendance plans which will temporarily replace the traditional (LCAPs) for 2020-21.
- The inclusion of $45 million to support and expand community schools, one of the most effective models for responding with wrap-around services to the needs of students and communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis.
We believe, however, that it is imperative we address the problem of learning loss experienced since the school closings—particularly among low-income students and students of color, English learners and foster youth – by providing them with needed safeguards to avoid falling further behind in school. The reliance on distance learning that we know varies widely in quality can perpetuate learning loss. To avoid further learning loss as schools design plans for the upcoming school year, we also urge the inclusion of the following in the final budget:
- Include a requirement of explicit assurances that students will receive a certain frequency of direct instruction. Live synchronous instruction should be the priority, especially for low-income and students of color, English learners, special need students and students who lack access to technology. We urge the Legislature to designate at least 3 hours a day of live face-to-face instruction (when students are off-site) as a minimum requirement.
- Provide a mechanism for the CA Department of Education, the CA Collaborative for Educational Excellence, and county offices to identify or provide supports to correct egregious Local Education Agencies’ underperformance in distance learning.
- Close the LCFF loophole that allows school districts to continue diverting Supplemental and Concentration grant funds from benefiting targeted high need students. We urge inclusion of a provision in the final budget to close this loophole.
And finally, as concerns our K-12 schools, we urge lawmakers and the Governor to take concrete steps to move school districts toward the creation of police-free schools, shifting resources from policing schools, which harms the very students LCFF funds are meant to support, to mental health, and restorative justice programs. We were pleased to see the creation of a new statewide Young People’s Task Force to consider issues involving police in schools. We hope to see a trailer bill specifically charge this Task Force with creating a path for California to transition to police-free schools.
We also express concern that Prop 98 is down $10.6 billion and that there will be $11 billion in deferrals. This will leave deferrals maxed out, and the state will enter the 2021-22 budget with $11 billion in Prop 98 funding already spent. State leaders should endorse the Schools and Communities First ballot initiative to transform spending on schools and explore other new revenue options.
REGARDING THE BUDGET FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
We are concerned about the nearly $1 billion in cuts to the UC and the CSU systems and are counting on our federal lawmakers to take action this summer to prevent these cuts from taking place. As to community colleges, the Higher Education budget is a powerful statement of our values during these unprecedented times. Despite the tragic cuts to our four year institutions, the state is continuing to invest in our highest-need college students at our 115 community colleges.
- On the $15 million for undocumented students, the state has taken an important step to right the federal wrong of denying DACA students emergency relief funds they helped to generate. We applaud the Governor and legislature for prioritizing the needs of all Californians, regardless of immigration status.
- On the Community College block grant, Student Equity & Achievement Program (SEAP) funding, and programming and legal supports for Dreamers, we appreciate the recognition that COVID is hitting our most vulnerable Community College students hardest, and that these colleges are the front lines of serving even more low-income students as COVID poses barriers to attendance at four-year institutions.
- We appreciate the summer financial aid investment, however, the impact of cuts to the UC/CSU will be severe. We urge the state to monitor the impact of these reductions and urge the segments to partner with students to minimize the negative effects on Black, Latinx and low-income/first-generation students.
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Public Advocates Inc. is a non-profit 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, and transit equity. For more information, see www.publicadvocates.org
