The West Contra Costa Unified School District is facing significant budget cuts, with English learners potentially among those most affected. Nearly a third of the district's 25,600 students are English learners, who require additional resources funded by the state to improve their language skills. Advocates Stephanie Sequeira and Erika Cruces de Zavala warn that these cuts, totaling approximately $6 million, could exacerbate existing disparities in educational support and hinder progress, as many English learners are already struggling to meet basic standards. Recent data shows alarming deficits in math and English proficiency among these students, prompting further concern.
Of the 169 positions the board agreed to eliminate during a Feb. 26 meeting, about 25 were English language development reading coaches, two were bilingual paraprofessionals and about two were bilingual instructional aides.
It's really hard to push forward anything when no one understands. There's no one really overseeing and even caring enough to oversee and justify whatever it is our (English learners) need.
#education #budget-cuts #english-learners #west-contra-costa-unified-school-district #equity-in-education
Collection
[
|
...
]