Westbank Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has expressed serious concerns regarding the allocation of federal taxpayer funds to support the "Woke Kindergarten" program at Glassbrook Elementary School in Hayward, California. The senator raised these concerns in light of the school's declining test scores in essential subjects like math and reading.

According to reports, Glassbrook Elementary School used $250,000 in federal funds to implement the "Woke Kindergarten" program, which aims to address issues of white supremacy, racism, and oppression in early childhood education. This funding was linked to a proposed contract between Hayward Public Schools and Woke Kindergarten, LLC.

Senator Cassidy highlighted potential discrepancies in the approval process of using federal funds for this program, citing the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). He pointed out that the California Department of Education (CDE) is responsible for approving and monitoring improvement plans for low-performing schools eligible for federal funding. It remains uncertain whether the school included "Woke Kindergarten" in its improvement plan and whether state officials sanctioned the plan as mandated by law.

The investment in "Woke Kindergarten" coincided with a decline in student academic performance, with reading and math scores decreasing by 16% and 14%, respectively, from 2022 to 2023. Glassbrook Elementary School is among the lowest-performing schools in California, with a minimal percentage of students proficient in math and English at grade level.

Teachers at Glassbrook have also expressed reservations about the program, labeling it as politically driven and incorporating anti-police, anti-capitalism, and anti-Israel sentiments. They emphasized the program's aim to create safe, joyful, and supportive learning environments for all students.

In response to these concerns, Senator Cassidy is seeking clarification from the California Department of Education regarding the approval process of using taxpayer funds for "Woke Kindergarten." He also urges the Department of Education to enhance oversight to ensure proper utilization of school improvement funds. Additionally, Cassidy is requesting information from the Department of Education and Woke Kindergarten, LLC to determine if federal school improvement funds are being utilized to promote similar programs in schools nationwide.

The senator's efforts to address these issues are reflected in his requests for relevant documents from the involved parties to establish transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer funds for educational initiatives.

For more information on this matter and updates from HELP Republicans, visit the GOPHELP website or follow them on Twitter at @GOPHELP.