The right choices? Leaders, policymakers and experts react to Gov. Newsom’s 2022-23 education budget
Excerpted from EdSource
"Following years of record growth, California is confronting a slowing economy even as it embarks on a range of investments to improve education and the well-being of its students.
In the pages below, more than 60 education insiders — from students to administrators to practitioners and advocates — share their thoughts on how well Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2023-24 budget proposal meets their priorities for early education, K-12 schools and the state’s public universities in the face of an expected economic downturn."
Read the full article here.
Responses from Senator Newman:
Early Education
What should be the priorities for supporting early education during this economic downturn, and how well does the proposed budget meet them?
First and foremost, we must keep commitments already made, including expanding transitional kindergarten; ensuring preschoolers with disabilities have access to the state preschool program; and increasing reimbursement rates and the number of slots for both state preschool and general child care. While the Governor’s budget aligns with many of these priorities, it does not address the shortage of quality, affordable child care, which worsened during the pandemic and disproportionately affects low-income working families.
What’s your No. 1 priority for early learning that should be protected, or even expanded, in a declining revenue year?
California has made significant progress over the last few years in expanding access to high-quality early childhood education, and I look forward to working with my colleagues, the Governor and stakeholders to ensure we continue to prioritize California’s youngest students even in a declining revenue year. Early learning and care suffered greatly during the pandemic as many programs saw significant drops in enrollment and attendance, as parents worked from home or were pushed out of the workplace. It is crucial that the state assist in ensuring these providers stay afloat so that these valuable programs can be maintained.
K-12 Education
What should be the priorities for supporting K-12 education during this economic downturn, and how well does the proposed budget meet them?
The state has made great strides in addressing the holistic needs of students by implementing a “whole child” framework that considers all factors, including academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health, which affect a student’s success. This has included implementing universal free meals, school-based health, community schools and expanded learning opportunities. I’m encouraged that these programs continue to be upheld in the Governor’s budget.
What’s your No. 1 priority for K-12 that should be protected, or even expanded, in a declining revenue year?
Our students have faced enormous challenges over the last few years, and as we move out of the pandemic, the latent impacts on children and their mental health will be dramatic. Investing in mental health services for our students is more important than ever to set up our kids for success. Additionally, in order to effectively address learning loss, initiatives to expand the teacher workforce are critical to ensure schools have the professional staff necessary to meet students’ needs and close this gap.
Higher Education
The proposed budget includes a 5% increase in base funding to UC and CSU, but there is also a delay in funding for some capital projects including affordable housing across the system. What do you think of those proposals?
Delays to capital improvement projects on college campuses seem a responsible cost-saving measure given the state’s anticipated budget constraints. We have seen a dire need for affordable housing in college communities across the state, with tens of thousands of students struggling to find and maintain stable housing, with a significant number experiencing homelessness. I’m hopeful that our higher education institutions can manage a delay in funding without unduly jeopardizing the progress on the construction of student housing and other necessary capital projects.
Were there any investments in higher ed that weren’t included in the budget proposal that you had hoped to see?
As the budget forecast becomes clearer in the coming months, I hope we continue to see a strong commitment to providing California students with expanded opportunities for career planning and development prior to graduation, across a variety of skills and industries. Preparing students for life outside the classroom is key to their success, irrespective of the educational path they choose to take.