As students and parents get ready for the start of a new school year, it is timely to review the work of the State Legislature in supporting our schools. As a parent, teacher and chair of the Assembly Education Committee in the State Assembly, I have made no secret that I believe the key to California’s future is a strong public education system. It is essential for Sacramento to ensure that school districts across the state have the resources they need to provide an education that moves people and the California economy forward.
As a classroom teacher, I bring a unique perspective to Sacramento. I am a firm believer that we need not micro-manage the classroom from Sacramento. This doesn’t always make me the most popular person in Sacramento, but I do believe educational excellence is achieved at the local level through innovation and high expectations. No single law from Sacramento can ensure student success. Without a doubt, Long Beach Unified School District is an example of this. With strong leadership and creative thinking, students succeed, which means California succeeds.
The effort in Sacramento should be to support our students by providing adequate resources and more opportunity. To this end, I have the following to report:
Increased school funding The budget provides an increase of over $1 billion to per student funding through the local control funding formula.
Middle Class Scholarship Not only did the Legislature prevent the elimination of Middle Class Scholarships, we provided an increase. This was something I fought hard for.
Teacher shortage The budget provides increased state and federal funds for recruitment of teachers and school leaders, as well as additional funds to support classified school employees to become classroom teachers.
After-school programs For the first time in a long time, the budget provides an increase for after-school programs. It is really important to keep kids busy during the golden after-school hours; a good kid is a tired kid.
Career technical education/vocational education The budget continues funding for the Career Technical Education Grant Program. This is the last year this program is slated to be funded. I am a strong supporter of career programs, but this is the last year this program is slated to be funded.
Education did well this year, but work remains to be done. This fall, I plan to hold a hearing on career technical education programs to highlight the values of such programs. I look forward to working with the community in advancing similar programs and efforts to support our students, families and schools.
