(The Center Square) – For Gavin Newsom, it’s personal.
The California governor, who has wrestled with his own dyslexia since childhood, Thursday stressed the need to do a better job with literacy throughout the state.
“I don’t read speeches [when delivering them] because I can’t, but that didn’t stop me from getting through high school and getting through elementary school” and into college with the help of dedicated teachers, Newsom said as he announced his Golden State Literacy Plan during a live-streamed news conference at Clinton Elementary School in Compton, just south of downtown Los Angeles.
“There’s not a day go by when my dyslexia is not exposed. Anyone who has seen my writing can attest to that,” Newsom said. He added it has become imperative to do more to help students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
To do that, the state has allocated $25 million to screen kindergarteners and first- and second-grade students annually for reading difficulties, including dyslexia, beginning with the 2025-26 school year. The requirement for screenings is part of Senate Bill 114, which Newsom signed into law in 2023.
“We have a responsibility to do more and do better as it relates to the educational outcomes, particularly as it relates to literacy in this state,” Newsom said, standing in front of local and state officials and students.
“Literacy is the pathway to success,” Newsom said. “All of California’s kids deserve to discover the joys and benefits of reading and the power to formulate and express their ideas. I’m proud to unveil the Golden State Plan for Literacy today to give teachers, schools, and students the power to read – and succeed.”
The governor’s proposal includes new initiatives such as:
$2.1 billion to support full implementation of transitional kindergarten for all California children who turn 4 years old by Sept. 1 of the school year. That includes prior years’ investments. There’s also an additional $1.2 billion to lower the student-to-adult ratio from 12 to 1 to 10 to 1 in every TK classroom.$1.7 billion for the Student Support and Discretionary Block Grant for professional development for teachers.$525.5 million for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, which supports before-school, after-school and summer school programs. When added to previous funding, that brings total ongoing funding to $4.5 billion.$500 million for TK-12 literacy and math coaching.$378.6 million for additional Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant money to address areas such as low English Language Arts test scores.$200 million for evidence-based professional learning in literacy instruction for elementary school teachers. This was added during Newsom’s May budget revisions. This is one-time Proposition 98 General Fund money.$40 million to support costs related to literacy screenings and other professional development related to literacy instruction.$25 million to launch Literacy and Mathematics Networks statewide.$10 million in one-time Proposition 98 General Fund money for a county office of education to partner with the University of California, San Francisco to support the expansion of a reading difficulties screening tool in additional languages. This also was added during the May budget revisions.Authorizing the California Department of Education to draw down funding awarded through the federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant. This is designed to improve student outcomes over five years, according to the governor’s plan, and was included in his May budget revisions.
Newsom noted California’s eighth-grade reading achievement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress improved more than any other state between 2011 and 2022. Additionally, California was one of three states that had the nation’s largest gains in fourth-grade reading.
But more work needs to be done, Newsom said.
Before Newsom spoke, Tony Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction, came to the podium and noted the governor has proposed more money for literacy and math coaches to work with students.
“We’re grateful for those programs that are built on top of the programs he has supported,” Thurmond said. He added that California’s goals include bilingual literacy so that one day every student will be able to speak more than one language.
“Literacy has the power to unlock countless doors for our students and transform their lives,” Thurmond said.
Thurmond and Newsom praised Clinton Elementary School and Compton Unified School District officials for their students’ scholastic achievements. Those welcoming the state leaders included school and district administrators, as well as Compton Mayor Emma Sharif.
