California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially approved $2 billion to be spent on California schools throughout the state after settling the Cayla J. v. California case earlier this year.
This $2 billion will be used to help students recover from learning loss they may have experienced when the state ordered schools to be closed during the COVID pandemic. For many of Newsom’s critics, this allocation of funds is an “admission of failure.”
California School Closures During the Pandemic
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, California ordered nearly all schools throughout the Golden State to be locked down.
All of this was done in an attempt to stop the spread of the very contagious and deadly virus, which at that time was running rampant up and down the coast of California, causing infections and deaths to soar.
At-Home Learning
California wasn’t alone in pushing for at-home learning. Many other states around the nation — even Republican-led states, in the early days — sent kids home and had them utilize at-home learning instead.
As a result, many California students began to attend school remotely, through online video sessions such as Zoom, for many months.
California vs Other States
However, while some other states eventually left behind this remote learning idea, California kept their schools closed in an attempt to keep the virus from spreading.
This move was both criticized and supported at the time. It remains a controversial issue.
California’s Latest Settlement
Now, after California has settled its Cayla J. v. California case, they have agreed to spend $2 billion in an attempt to help the students who were impacted by this at-home learning during the pandemic.
According to the case, many students were harmed by this sudden change in schooling. Learning loss has increased greatly in California, as well as many other states that had remote schooling during the pandemic.
Students Who Were Hurt the Most
Lawyers part of this lawsuit against the state claimed that many students were greatly hurt by school closures in California.
However, they’ve also stated that low-income students, as well as students of color, have been more severely experiencing learning loss than other students around the state.
An Admission of Failure
Sonia Shaw, the President of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board, recently opened up about this allocation of funds — and how Newsom is admitting he failed.
“The recent settlement in which California agreed to spend $2 billion to help children most impacted by lost learning and mental health issues caused by the school closures is a stark admission of the failures that occurred,” Shaw stated.
How This Money Will Be Spent
There are a variety of ways this $2 billion may be spent. All of these funds must be used to help the students who were most affected by remote schooling during the pandemic.
As a result, money from the COVID-19 relief funds may also be spent on tutoring and other methods to help students recover from the learning loss they may have.
Trying to Deal With Learning Loss
Even many supporters of school closures during the pandemic — all of which was done in an attempt to stop the spread of a contagious virus — have admitted that students’ learning has unfortunately suffered as a result.
This unforeseen side effect has been seen among students throughout the nation. A Harvard study has even found that the learning gaps that appeared during the pandemic remain. In some cases, it has even gotten worse in certain states, such as Massachusetts.
Parents Sound Off on Newsom
Parents who have children affected by this learning loss have blasted Newsom, as they feel that he is to blame for all that has occurred.
Shaw explained, “Unfortunately, the damage is done, and this should have been a priority to the Department of Education and the Governor. I’m grateful to those who never gave up to ensure resources are used to help students.”
California’s Response
A California Department of Education spokesperson has responded to helping students who may be recovering from learning loss experienced during the pandemic.
This spokesperson explained that changes to this school proposal are “appropriate at this stage coming out of the pandemic to focus on the students who were most impacted and continued to need support.”
Critics Remain
Even though the state has agreed to spend more money to help these students, various critics against the governor remain.
Shaw added, “This wound was inflicted by poor leadership and misguided policies. Our children suffered immeasurably because of these decisions, and it is outrageous that it took a lawsuit to recognize and address the damage.”
