What should be the priorities for supporting K-12 education during this economic downturn, and how well does the proposed budget meet them?
“Basic needs and mental health are crucial. We still have over 250,000 unhoused students in California schools. Food insecurities are a real factor for too many students in California. And mental health issues are still a reality for millions of students across the state. We cannot shortchange those areas, because they have a direct impact on students’ readiness to learn.”
What’s your No. 1 priority for K-12 that should be protected, or even expanded, in a declining revenue year?
“In addition to basic needs and mental health, a focus on racial disparities that continue to be a staple in K-12 schools needs to be a priority. The educational outcomes for Black students continue to be embarrassing in California. Over 80% are not proficient in math and reading, and disproportionate numbers of Black students are unhoused and in foster care, and we have accepted that as business as usual. We can do better. AB 2774 would have placed additional funding for the lowest-performing group in the state, which is Black students. The governor did not support that legislation — a missed opportunity.”
Tyrone C. Howard is the faculty director of UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools and director of UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children & Families.