California is allocating $2 billion to address learning loss caused by COVID-19 lockdowns, a move that some see as a stark admission of failure. The allocation stems from a legal settlement that found school closures disproportionately harmed students from low-income households and students of color.
California's decision to spend $2 billion on addressing learning loss from COVID lockdowns has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising it as a step in the right direction and others criticizing it as an admission of failure.
California Admits COVID Lockdowns Failed Students, Spends $2 Billion to Address Learning Loss
Gov. Gavin Newsom approved the allocation of funds on June 29 through Senate Bill 153. The money will be used for tutoring and other efforts to help students recover from lost learning during the pandemic.
The decision comes after a legal settlement in February, Cayla J. v. California, in which the state agreed to spend $2 billion on students most impacted by learning loss and mental health issues caused by school closures.
California Admits COVID Lockdowns Failed Students, Spends $2 Billion to Address Learning Loss
Chino Valley Unified School District Board President Sonia Shaw told Fox News Digital that the settlement is "a stark admission of the failures that occurred." She added, "Unfortunately, the damage is done, and this should have been a priority to the Department of Education and the Governor."
An attorney from Morrison Foerster, a law firm involved in the lawsuit, stated that they proved school shutdowns during the pandemic harmed low-income students and students of color.
California Admits COVID Lockdowns Failed Students, Spends $2 Billion to Address Learning Loss
Lance Christensen, a father of four, expressed concern that the funds may be mismanaged. He said, "Rather than acknowledge how our state's elected officials have consistently failed millions of children in our public schools, the legislature passed and the governor signed a bill that will not only send more money into our sub-par government schools, but have no real accountability other than reports that no one will read or seriously consider."
California received over $190 billion from the federal government to address learning loss from March 2020 to March 2021. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued that the state failed to ensure local districts used the money effectively.
California Admits COVID Lockdowns Failed Students, Spends $2 Billion to Address Learning Loss
The settlement requires existing funds from the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant to be used for tutoring and other support measures for students facing adverse education outcomes, such as those from low-income households and minorities.
Jason Bedrick of the Heritage Foundation criticized California lawmakers for creating the problem by keeping schools closed too long. He believes a better approach would be to empower families with educational choices.
Corey DeAngelis of the American Federation For Children accused Newsom of "pretending to be a firefighter" and rewarding teachers unions for keeping schools closed.
The California Dept. of Education stated that the proposal includes changes appropriate for the current post-pandemic stage to support students who need the most help.
Despite the allocation of funds, some experts believe that the damage caused by school closures cannot be fully reversed. They emphasize the need for accountability and transparency in the use of the funds to ensure that students receive the support they need.
