From California Post · · 1m 10s
California education worse than Hilton claims
California's education crisis exceeds Steve Hilton's claims.
In brief
California's education crisis exceeds Steve Hilton's claims. California's reading scores improved only 6% in 13 years, while Mississippi's students show higher growth and accountability. Originally reported by California Post.
Steve Hilton's claim
Steve Hilton, Republican candidate for governor, claims two out of every three Black students in California do not meet basic English standards.
“Two out of every three Black students in California do not meet basic English standards”
California's reading scores
California's fourth-grade reading scores rose from 40% in 2013 to 46% in 2025, a 6% increase over 13 years.
“In 2013, California ranked 47th nationally in fourth-grade reading skills, with only 40% of students reading at grade level. In 2025, that rose to 46% of students reading at grade level.”
Mississippi's improvement
Mississippi's fourth-graders showed the highest growth in reading and math over the same period, moving from the bottom to above national averages.
“In roughly the same time frame, fourth-graders showed the highest growth in the nation in reading and math. They also moved from the bottom of the rankings to above the national average for the first time.”
California's phonics delay
California waited years to adopt phonics, the core approach Mississippi used to improve reading skills.
“First, California waited years to get behind the push for phonics, the old-fashioned approach to reading that was at the core of Mississippi’s improvement.”
Mississippi's accountability
Mississippi holds back third-grade students who don't pass reading requirements, ensuring real educational results.
“Second, Mississippi holds back third-grade students if they don’t pass their reading requirements. They want results. Nobody passes for social reasons or to make schools look better than they are.”
California's key benchmark
Fourth grade is a critical benchmark for educational achievement; California students fall behind if they can't read by this age.
“Fourth grade is a key benchmark for educational achievement. If kids can’t read by fourth grade, they fall behind in other subjects as well, and the shortfall becomes much more difficult to address.”
Sanctuary state impact
California's sanctuary policies create 1.113 million English learners, who struggle to read at grade level and hinder other students.
“In the 2022-23 school year, there were approximately 1.113 million English learners in California public schools, which represents 19.01% of the total enrollment.”
What it means
California's reading scores improved only 6% in 13 years, while Mississippi's students show higher growth and accountability.
