As Schools Fully Open, New Data Shows Expanded Educational Opportunities for Students

SACRAMENTO – California  Aug. 10, released new data reflecting early results of historic investments Gov. Gavin Newsom has made in education. As schools fully open for the new school year, school districts across the state have expanded services to meet the needs of returning students: 98 percent of school districts report expanding educational opportunities, including mental health, after-school and academic supports. Specifically: 

• 95 percent of school districts report expanding mental health and wellness services
• 73 percent of school districts report expanding after-school programs
• 83 percent of school districts report expanding learning acceleration programs (e.g., high-dose tutoring)

 The state’s new Statewide Expanded Educational Opportunities Dashboard provides the latest statewide snapshot:

Additionally, the new School Districts Expanded Opportunities Map provides region-specific data for parents, families and others in the community to find out whether their schools are offering additional mental health and academic services.

Through the winter, the Governor championed actions to provide school funding to both accelerate school reopenings in the 2020-21 school year and expand student supports for the summer and 2021-22 school year. AB 86 was enacted on March 5, 2021, with $4.6 billion (of $6.6 billion in total funding) dedicated to expanding student supports. Schools used those early funds to expand educational opportunities for the summer and the upcoming school year.