- Simone Braithwaite
- Simone.Braithwaite@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO – AB 714, which provides more academic support for newly arrived immigrant and refugee students, has been signed by Governor Newsom.
In the 2020-2021 school year, California enrolled about 152,000 newcomer students who have attended schools in the United States for less than three years. These students often require specialized academic instruction and other support to be successful in school.
Newcomer students often travel far and wide, many of them raised in war torn countries or communities that have been devastated by climate catastrophes. 92% of newcomers are English learners that typically have a much lower English proficiency than the average English learner. Most of them grew up speaking languages other than English and Spanish. The current English learner accountability standards and curricula do not always meet newcomer needs.
“Throughout the state, newcomers are striving for success, but do not yet have all of the necessary support and instruction, said Assemblymember McCarty. “All too often students are rushed through high school without having a sufficient grasp of the skills they will need to be college and career ready. Many others fail to graduate entirely. This bill will help ensure newcomers are set up for success.”
By reporting on newcomer enrollment, both the state and local school districts will have a better idea of who and where our newcomer students are so we can continue to provide them with more comprehensive help and resources.
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Kevin McCarty represents California’s 6th Assembly District, which includes the city of Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County. McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Website of Assemblymember Kevin McCarty: https://a06.asmdc.org/