"Education is California's largest state expense, consuming more than a third of the state budget through K-12 schools alone. Yet as voters prepare to choose a successor to outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, candidates across the political spectrum agree the system is falling short. Reading and math scores among California's 5.8 million K-12 students trail national averages, and more than half of students are reading below grade level."
"Democrats and Republicans largely agree California's schools are struggling but they offer starkly different explanations for why, and competing visions for how much power, money and control the state should exert over classrooms, teachers and parents. The debate unfolds as California faces an escalating clash with President Donald Trump over education policy, with federal funding increasingly at risk amid disputes over transgender athletes' participation in sports and immigration enforcement on school campuses."
"As governor, Newsom has provided universal free school meals, added transitional kindergarten for all preschool-aged children, pushed to restrict cellphone use on campuses, and launched initiatives aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ students' mental health and well-being. At the same time, he has faced criticism for extensive school closures during the pandemic, budget maneuvers that educators say have threatened funding, legislation preventing schools from being required to notify parents if a student changes their gender identity, and new laws and guidance aimed at addressing antisemitism in schools."
Education is California's largest state expense, consuming more than a third of the state budget through K-12 schools. Reading and math scores among California's 5.8 million K-12 students trail national averages, and more than half of students are reading below grade level. Declining enrollment, chronic absenteeism and the end of pandemic recovery dollars have forced campuses to close and prompted widespread layoffs. Democrats and Republicans offer starkly different explanations and competing visions for state authority, funding and parental control. A clash with the Trump administration threatens federal funding amid disputes over transgender athletes and immigration enforcement on campuses. Newsom's policies include free school meals, expanded transitional kindergarten, cellphone restrictions and LGBTQ+ supports, while critics cite closures, budget maneuvers, parental notification laws and antisemitism guidance.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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