California’s latest academic performance results not only show that our public schools are failing millions of students, they also shine a light on state education officials’ efforts to resist being held accountable for the crisis. 

The state sends billions of dollars every year to school districts to provide extra help for kids in poverty, English Learners and foster youth. But student outcomes and assessment scores have flatlined on recent state test scores and the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) and California continues to have some of the largest achievement gaps in the country.

English Language Arts test data reveal still only half of all students perform at grade level with only a one-point gain over 2018. About 60 percent of students are below grade level in Common Core Math. And, high school achievement is still 2.49 percentage points below what it was 2017. For more information, read our statements on California's statewide assessment and the National Assessment for Educational Progress.