California Gov. Gavin Newsom's massive $2 billion aid package to address learning during the pandemic is a sign of failed education policy, parents and school boards say.

Parents and school committee members expressed frustration with the lack of help, support and accountability from schools during the pandemic. according to The state plans to use the remainder of the relief funding to speed up recovery from learning loss through tutoring and other methods, according to Fox News.

“Unfortunately, the damage has been done and this should have been a top priority for the Department of Education and the governor,” Sonia Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District, told Fox News Digital. “I'm grateful to those who never gave up to make sure resources were used to help students.”

California parents have criticized the need for more financial aid and a lack of leadership early in the pandemic. (Related article: Teacher absenteeism puts strain on schools as students suffer prolonged learning loss after pandemic)

“It's time for Congress to cut ties with teachers unions that consistently reject opportunities for education reform,” Lance Christensen, a father of four students in a California school district, told Fox News. “Parents who have no real resources or options for their children in low-performing public schools will see money flow to bureaucrats instead of to programs they know will benefit their children.”

“Far from acknowledging that our state's elected officials have continually failed millions of kids in our public schools, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed a bill that not only pumps more money into substandard public schools, but provides no real accountability beyond reports that no one will ever read or seriously consider,” Christensen told Fox News.

Newsom signs it. Senate Bill 153 The funding was approved on June 29 to help students recover from learning delays caused by the pandemic, Fox News reported. reportDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all schools in California have been closed, forcing students to use distance learning services.

The bill was signed into law authorizing the allocation of funds in response to the lawsuit Judge Kayla v. California, which was settled in February.

The lawsuit, Judge Kayla v. California, was filed in November 2020 when students and community groups sought intervention from the state to provide relief to students and parents, the Public Advocate website reported. stateThe lawsuit alleges the state failed to ensure students and parents had access to digital connectivity and devices to support them academically and emotionally.

The Public Counsel's website states the funding will go toward evidence-based programs that improve student outcomes.

Students of all ages have suffered learning loss due to the pandemic, including plummeting scores in math and reading, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported in 2023. About 70% of students have experienced “chronic absenteeism,” meaning missing school for a significant amount of time.

The youngest students, those born during the pandemic, are facing serious behavioral and cognitive problems due to disrupted early childhood development: Children as young as 4 and 5 years old have reportedly thrown chairs, bitten and hit others because the pandemic has prevented them from interacting with their peers.

The Department of Education and Gov. Gavin Newsom's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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