California Education Crisis Worse Than Stated, Author Argues

California's education system faces a deeper crisis than what has been articulated by gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, according to an opinion piece by Thomas Del Beccaro, chairman of Californians for Election Fairness. Hilton stated that "Two out of every three Black students in California do not meet basic English standards." However, Del Beccaro argues the reality is more severe and affects a broader spectrum of students.

Recent reports indicate that while California's reading scores have shown modest improvement, they still lag significantly behind national averages. In 2013, California ranked 47th in the nation for fourth-grade reading skills, with only 40% of students reading at grade level. By 2025, this figure had risen to 46%, representing a mere 6% increase over 13 years. This slow progress stands in contrast to states like Mississippi, which has demonstrated remarkable growth in reading and math scores, moving from the bottom of national rankings to above average.

Del Beccaro attributes California's educational shortcomings to several key factors. First, the state was slow to adopt phonics-based reading instruction, an approach credited with Mississippi's success. Second, California does not retain third-grade students who fail to meet reading proficiency standards, unlike Mississippi, which implements retention policies to ensure students master reading fundamentals before advancing. This is particularly critical as fourth grade is considered a benchmark for future academic success; students who cannot read by this stage often struggle in other subjects.

Furthermore, California's "sanctuary state" policies are cited as a significant factor impacting its schools. The state serves a large population of English learners, with approximately 1.113 million students, or 19.01% of the total enrollment, needing English language support in the 2022-23 school year. This high percentage necessitates increased attention from teachers, potentially diverting resources and focus from other students. Retiring Antioch High School teacher Pamela Swicegood noted that in her college preparatory courses, several students struggled with English proficiency, impacting her ability to teach effectively and hindering college-bound students.

Despite California's substantial budget, including 40% of its general fund allocated to schools under Proposition 98, the state is accused of not sufficiently prioritizing foundational education. Instead, resources and attention are reportedly directed towards other issues, such as debates over parental notification regarding student gender identity exploration and supporting students from families who have entered the country illegally. The author concludes that the current educational landscape in California may offer fewer opportunities for Black children than in Mississippi, suggesting that significant change requires a shift in the state's leadership.