CALIFORNIA’S STUDENTS SHORTCHANGED IN FINAL BUDGET DEAL
On top of the astonishing $17 billion in cuts to schools imposed over the past two years, under the new budget agreement expected to be voted on by the legislature today, California’s students will receive $4.3 billion less than they are owed under Proposition 98, the minimum school funding guarantee. The budget agreement also fails to provide any new, stable revenue streams for schools.
Drastic cuts have indelibly changed the face of public education in the state of California, with 30,000 teachers laid off over the past two years, and overflowing class sizes becoming the norm for students. School libraries not only shortened their hours, but many closed their doors entirely as school librarians lost their jobs. Many arts and physical education programs landed on the chopping block, while schools often were forced to scrimp and