When Gov. Gavin Newsom submitted his budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, he specifically mentioned Black students – the lowest performing group of any ethnic category on California’s standardized tests.
To “increase and improve” the teacher workforce in underserved communities, the governor is proposing a $20,000 stipend for teachers working at what he is calling “high needs” schools for the next four years.
“It’s incredibly important that we have a diverse teaching workforce,” Gov. Newsom said. “Not only have stable, prepared, professional teachers, but also having a teacher that looks like you. That’s incredibly important, particularly when it comes to African-American achievement.”
The majority of the lowest performing schools in the state are located in census tracts where there are above-average poverty rates and large concentrations of African-Americans, Latinos and other minorities.
Most of those schools with the largest numbers of Black students also have the highest suspension rates among California’s public schools.
Only two percent of African-American children in California attend public schools that are considered “high performing.”
Gov. Newsom says, his budget has earmarked approximately $900 million for teacher training, including professional development, educator service awards, and teacher residency programs.
The $20,000-per-teacher annual stipend is expected to cost taxpayers $100 million over the next fiscal year
