WATCH: Newsom signs literacy bill, says scores improve

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(The Center Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday signed a law to give teachers resources to help students become better readers.

Newsom’s signature on Assembly Bill 1454 came at the end of a news conference at Alexander Science Center School in Los Angeles. The Democratic governor noted the bill was so important that it became the only legislation this session for which Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Salinas, wanted to attach his name.

Besides signing the legislation, Newsom announced improvements in test scores for the state’s K-12 students.

He said this year’s 1.8% improvement in scores in English language arts and math, along with a 2% improvement in science, is a good start, but added the state wants to do better. "No, we're not satisfied with where we are."

This year's gains are four times those made last year in English language arts and science, according to the Governor's Office. They're twice the gains announced in 2024 in math.

The scores are from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress and the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California. 

The proportion of students meeting grade level expectations grew to 86% in science, 70.6% in English language arts and 61% in math, the Governor’s Office said. The office added that Black and Latino students made higher-than-average improvements in those three subjects, while “socioeconomically disadvantaged students” showed modest gains in them.

“From 2011 to 2022 – I’m waiting for the newest numbers – there was no other system of education in the United State of America that saw faster improvement in reading for eighth graders than the state of California,” Newsom said.

“At a time when our federal government is focused on dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, in California, we’re doubling down on our efforts to support our schools, students and teachers,” Newsom said. “Through significant investments in initiatives like community schools, universal meals and literacy coaches – and legislative action like the bill I signed today – we’re working to provide students with the resources they need to succeed. And California’s promising test scores show our efforts are paying off.”

AB 1454 requires the Commission On Teacher Credentialing to adopt, by Jan. 31, 2027, literacy materials for grades K-8 in English language arts and development. It also adds requirements for supporting literacy instruction as part of the commission’s standards for credentials for preliminary administrative services.

“This is a bill whose time has come,” said Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, who also spoke at Thursday’s press conference. 

Besides praising the bill, Carvalho announced progress with test scores in the nation’s second-largest school district. He said students are exceeding the pre-COVID-19 pandemic year of 2018-19 in all subjects and grades.

“It is a great day for Los Angeles Unified,” Carvalho said.

Newsom said Los Angeles Unified School District performed better than the rest of the state, contributing to the larger narrative for California. "As L.A. Unified goes, the state of California goes."

LAUSD saw the number of students meeting or exceeding standards increase by 3.4% in English language arts, 3.93% in math and 3.32% in science. The Governor's Office said the district reached the highest levels recorded for the district since the state started the Smarter Balanced Assessment.

Besides the gains in Los Angeles Unified School District, the Governor’s Office noted there were improvements in scores for Compton Unified School District, Roseville Joint Union High School District, Pittsburg Unified School District and Sanger Unified School District.