Sacramento - Bi-partisan legislation that would allow the Long Beach Unified School District to require supplemental instruction for struggling students was approved overwhelmingly by the state legislature yesterday, 75-2, and now heads to the Governor’s desk. The measure, Assembly Bill 2989, is authored by Assemblymember Betty Karnette.

Stated Karnette, “This is a positive sign and I am optimistic that the Governor will support my efforts to make sure that struggling students do not get left behind and receive the additional support they need. Assembly Bill 2989 is also an important measure to help students prepare for the high school exit exam.”

Specifically, AB 2989 would authorize Long Beach Unified School District to require its seriously underperforming students to participate in supplemental instruction provided at the schools. This includes tutoring, summer school and after school programs.

“The Long Beach Unified School District has been recognized with many awards for its efforts to provide an excellent education in our community. This measure will help the district maintain its high standards of achievement and provide a high quality of education for all students,” Karnette said.

Approximately 10,000 of the 96,300 students in the Long Beach Unified School District are eligible for and are offered supplemental instruction. The good news is that 90% of these students participate in the district’s programs. However it is our goal that all students who are eligible will be required to participate to ensure the greatest opportunity for student success.