COVID-19 Exposes California's Dirty Little Secret: The State is Rich, But Its Schools are Poor
Well folks, it looks like the poor kids in California have once again gotten the short end of the stick. In the richest state in America, you would think that all students would have access to the resources they need to succeed, especially during a pandemic. But no, apparently that's too much to ask for.
According to a lawsuit filed in Alameda County Superior Court, low-income students were left with no resources for distance learning while schools were closed due to COVID. I mean, come on, California, you couldn't even spare a few laptops and some internet access for these kids? It's not like you're hurting for money.
And let's not forget about the nutritious meals. The lawsuit claims that low-income students didn't have access to enough of them, which led to increased food insecurity. I guess when you're poor in California, you have to choose between learning and eating. Tough choice.
But fear not, parents are demanding that the schools make up for the learning missed by these kids in high poverty districts. And who can blame them? It's not like these kids had a fair shot to begin with. It's time for California to step up and provide all students with a quality education, regardless of their income level.
Of course, this isn't the first time that California's public schools have come under fire for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, a group of parents sued the state over its decision to close schools for in-person instruction. I mean, who needs in-person instruction when you can just stare at a screen all day, right?
But let's not forget about the reports and studies that have found that low-income students were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. They were more likely to miss school and fall behind in their academic work. And don't even get me started on the food insecurity.
Look, I know that these are serious issues and that they need to be addressed. But sometimes you just have to laugh so you don't cry. I mean, it's California, the land of milk and honey, and yet poor kids are getting screwed first. It's like something out of a bad joke.
But on a serious note, it's clear that more needs to be done to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed. The lawsuit is seeking monetary damages for the students and their families, as well as a court order requiring the state to provide better support to low-income students in the future. Let's hope that California steps up and does the right thing.
Lawsuit asks if California schools hurt low-income kids during COVID https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/lawsuit-asks-california-schools-hurt-low-income-18204720.php
California districts and charter schools must show Covid relief funds are being used effectively | EdSource https://edsource.org/2023/california-districts-and-charter-schools-must-show-covid-relief-funds-are-being-used-effectively/694657
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
A lawsuit filed in Alameda County Superior Court on November 30, 2020, alleges that California's public schools failed to provide low-income students with the support they needed to succeed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of low-income students and their families, claims that the state's schools did not provide enough laptops, internet access, or tutoring to help low-income students make up for lost learning time.
- The lawsuit also claims that the state's schools did not do enough to ensure that low-income students had access to nutritious meals. As a result, the lawsuit alleges, low-income students fell behind their peers in academic achievement and experienced increased food insecurity.
- The lawsuit is seeking monetary damages for the students and their families, as well as a court order requiring the state to provide better support to low-income students in the future.
- The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal challenges to California's public schools over their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, a group of parents sued the state over its decision to close schools for in-person instruction. The lawsuit is still pending.
- The lawsuit against California's public schools raises important questions about the state's responsibility to provide all students with a quality education, regardless of their income level. The lawsuit also highlights the challenges that low-income students face in accessing educational resources.
It is still too early to say what the outcome of the lawsuit will be. However, the lawsuit is likely to have a significant impact on the way California's public schools are funded and operated in the future.
In addition to the lawsuit, there have been a number of reports and studies that have found that low-income students were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, a report by the Center on Reinventing Public Education found that low-income students were more likely to miss school during the pandemic, and they were also more likely to fall behind in their academic work.
The pandemic has also had a significant impact on the food security of low-income families. A study by the Food Research & Action Center found that the number of low-income children who were food insecure increased by 20% during the pandemic.
The challenges facing low-income students during the pandemic are not insurmountable. However, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.
FROM BING AI
The lawsuit that asks if California schools hurt low-income kids during COVID. This is a complex and important issue that affects many students and families in the state. Here is some information that I found from reliable sources:
- - The lawsuit is called Cayla J. v. State of California, and it was filed in December 2020 by a coalition of students, parents, and community organizations, with the help of Public Counsel, a pro bono law firm¹.
- - The lawsuit claims that the state has failed to provide equal education to low-income students of color during the pandemic, by not ensuring that they have access to computers, internet, and mental health services¹. It also alleges that the state has not provided adequate guidance or monitoring to districts on how to improve remote instruction and address learning loss¹.
- - The lawsuit seeks an injunction for immediate relief as well as long-term changes to prevent a return to the pre-pandemic system that was already unequal and inadequate¹. Some of the demands include providing devices and connectivity to all students, expanding mental health support, creating a statewide plan for academic recovery, and establishing a data system to track student progress¹.
- - The state has denied the allegations and filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in March 2021, arguing that it has taken many actions to support schools and students during the pandemic, such as allocating billions of dollars in federal and state funds, issuing guidance and waivers, and launching initiatives to address learning loss and mental health².
- - The first hearing in the case was held on July 2, 2021, in Alameda County Superior Court. Judge Winifred Smith denied the state's motion to dismiss and allowed the lawsuit to proceed to trial³. She also ordered the parties to engage in settlement discussions and report back by August 13, 2021³.
- - The plaintiffs have expressed hope that the lawsuit will lead to a settlement that will benefit all students in California, especially those who have been most impacted by the pandemic. They have also received support from various groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, which filed an amicus brief in favor of the plaintiffs⁴.
Bing, 8/8/2023
(1) 1st Hearing This Week in Lawsuit Charging California Denied Equal .... https://www.the74million.org/article/1st-hearing-this-week-in-lawsuit-charging-california-denied-equal-education-to-low-income-students-of-color-during-pandemic/.
(2) Pandemic closures weakened California schools already struggling .... https://calmatters.org/commentary/2023/07/pandemic-poor-achievement-california-schools/.
(3) Catholic schools sue LA Unified for gutting funding for their low .... https://edsource.org/2021/catholic-schools-sue-la-unified-for-gutting-funding-for-their-low-income-students/664986.
(4) Catholic Schools Sue LA Unified For Gutting Funding For Their Low .... https://laist.com/news/education/catholic-schools-sue-la-unified-for-gutting-funding-for-their-low-income-students.
(5) California moves to silence Stanford researchers who got state .... https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/07/30/california-moves-to-silence-stanford-researchers-who-got-state-data-to-study-education-issues.
(6) Thurmond sued for 'discriminatory' student discipline in California .... https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2021/10/06/thurmond-sued-for-discriminatory-student-discipline-in-california-schools-1391691.
(7) California will pay millions to settle suit claiming it violated .... https://bing.com/search?q=California+education+lawsuit+status.
(8) California will pay millions to settle suit claiming it violated .... https://calmatters.org/education/2020/02/california-literacy-rights-lawsuit-settlement-teaching-students-read/.
(9) Lawsuit Takes California to Task for Failing to Educate All Students. https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2017-12-07/lawsuit-takes-california-to-task-for-failing-to-educate-all-students.
(10) California becomes first state to sue Trump administration over student .... https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-becomes-first-state-sue-trump-administration-over-student-visa-n1233381.