March 17, 2022

Amanda Arellano, 17, left, and her mother Maria, right, at a park near their home in Los Angeles on Feb. 22, 2022. Amanda said she believes schools need to focus more are helping students with mental health struggles that have been caused by the pandemic. “Especially those with special needs, we are the community who have been much more impacted, especially with physical and mental problems,” she said. Amanda has autism, cerebral palsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Amanda said the start of the pandemic had more positives because it brought more resources for distance learning and the schools had more resources for mental health, but she feels that those things have faded with time and with classes now being in-person again. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

CalMatters en Español

Cuando los niños sufren: California destinará miles de millones a la reforma de salud mental

En resumen La administración de Newsom planea gastar $ 4.4 mil La administración de Newsom planea gastar $4,400 millones para abordar las necesidades de salud mental entre los jóvenes. Pero, ¿llegará lo suficientemente pronto? Read this article in English. Amanda Arellano sintió que un gran peso le oprimía el pecho. Era mayo de 2021 y el […]

By Jocelyn Wiener • March 17, 2022

Joy Harrison instructs her second graders as California Gov. Gavin Newsom visits the classroom at Carl B. Munck Elementary School, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, in Oakland. The governor announced that California will require its 320,000 teachers and school employees to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. Photo by Santiago Mejia, San Francisco Chronicle via AP

CalMatters en Español

Las soluciones a corto plazo realmente no resolverán la escasez de maestros en California

En resumen Las escuelas de California están luchando para aumentar su personal, a pesar de que los distritos escolares reciben miles de millones de dinero estatal para remediar la escasez de maestros. Las subvenciones han ayudado pero, según los educadores, no son suficientes. Read this article in English. Daniel Poulos trabajó como conserje para el Distrito […]

By Joe Hong • March 17, 2022

Health

When children suffer: California to funnel billions into mental health overhaul

The Newsom administration plans to spend $4.4 billion addressing mental health needs among young people. But will it come soon enough?

By Jocelyn Wiener • March 17, 2022

Commentary

Bill would prohibit foreign influence in California elections

AB 1819 will protect California’s elections by prohibiting foreign-influenced corporations from contributing to candidates.

By Guest Commentary • March 17, 2022

Joy Harrison instructs her second graders at Carl B. Munck Elementary School, in Oakland on Aug. 11, 2021. Photo by Santiago Mejia, San Francisco Chronicle via AP

K-12 Education

Short-term fixes won’t really solve California’s teacher shortage

California’s schools are struggling to staff up — despite billions in state money flowing to school districts to remedy teacher shortages. Grants have helped but, educators say, they aren’t enough.

By Joe Hong • March 17, 2022

Reader Reactions

Better solution would be higher ZEV sales requirements in 2026

The Air Resources Board proposed requirements for zero-emission vehicle sales start unnecessarily low in 2026.

By Guest Commentary • March 17, 2022

Amanda Arellano, 17, is pictured at a park near her home in Los Angeles on Feb. 22, 2022. Amanda said she believes schools need to focus more are helping students with mental health struggles that have been caused by the pandemic. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

WhatMatters

California confronts youth mental health crisis

Youth mental health is taking on more urgency for California policymakers as the pandemic enters its third year

By Emily Hoeven • March 17, 2022