|
Kevin de Leon on Education
|
|
|
Invest budget in education, from childcare thru college
In three years serving as the Senate's lead in negotiating the budget, Senator de Le¢n has secured critical investments that strengthen the bookends of a student's educational career, pushing for new investments in childcare and higher education.
Under his leadership, California has added over 20,000 additional slots for California students in the University of California and the California State University.
Both budgets during his tenure as Senate leader have been delivered on time, provided protective reserves, paid down debt,
provided relief funding for the drought, and wisely invested in children and working families.
Source: 2018 California Senatorial campaign website KevinDeLeon.com
, Feb 22, 2018
Support for public schools; against vouchers
Working for both the National Education Association and the California Teachers Association, Kevin fought for additional funding for schools in low-income neighborhoods, more school construction,
and health insurance for children. He fought against schemes to take funds from public schools through taxpayer-funded vouchers and academic censorship in public schools.
Source: 2018 California Senatorial website KevinDeLeon.com
, Oct 15, 2017
Allow bilingual education in public schools
Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:- Existing law requires that all children in California public schools be taught in English.
- Public referendum Proposition 227 specifies that English learner pupils be educated through
sheltered English immersion.
- This bill would remove those requirements and allow parents to choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child.
- This bill would include a new public referendum vote to replace Proposition 227.
Status:Concurrence vote passed Senate, 25-10-5; passed House 53-26-0; approved by Governor 9/28/14OnTheIssues Explanation: In 1998, California voters passed Proposition 227, which banned bilingual education. This new law
repeals Proposition 227, and hence re-institutes bilingual education. 80% of non-English-speaking in California public schools speak Spanish, but bilingual education could apply to other languages as well. (Kevin de Leon voted YEA).
Source: California legislative voting records: SB 1174
, Aug 26, 2014
Replace school achievement testing with progress testing
Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest:- Existing law implements a standards-based achievement test, the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program.
- This bill would delete the STAR Program, and instead establish the
Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress (MAPP), for assessment of elementary & secondary pupils.
- The Legislature intends that public school accountability evolve beyond its narrow focus on pupil test scores to encompass other information
about school performance, including pupil preparedness for college and career, as well as the high school graduation rates.
Status: Concurrence vote passed House, 54-22-2; passed Senate 26-7-6; approved by Governor 10/2/13.
OnTheIssues Explanation: MAPP meets the new federal Common Core standards, while STAR met the previous federal No-Child-Left-Behind standards. Voting for the MAPP standards implies support of Common Core. (Kevin de Leon voted YES).
Source: California legislative voting records: AB 484
, Sep 10, 2013
Allow student sports choice based on gender identity
Excerpts from Legislative Counsel's Digest: Existing law prohibits public schools from discriminating on the basis of specified characteristics, including gender, gender identity, and gender expression, and specifies various statements
of legislative intent and the policies of the state in that regard. Existing law requires that participation in a particular physical education activity or sport, if required of pupils of one sex, be available to pupils of each sex.
This bill would require that a pupil be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender
listed on the pupil's records.
Status:Bill passed House, 46-25-8; passed Senate, 21-9-8; approved by Governor, August 12, 2013. (Kevin de Leon voted YEA).
Source: California legislative voting records: AB 1266
, Jul 3, 2013
Page last updated: Jul 14, 2021