Gavin Newsom Has a California Parent Problem

California Governor Gavin Newsom might have an education problem to contend with: parents.

A new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California found that 60 percent of parents approve of the way Newsom is handling education. While it is a clear majority, it’s also the lowest mark Newsom has received since 2019 and a 13-point drop from two years ago, signaling Newsom might be losing appeal among the group.

Just under half of Californians think the quality of education in the state’s K through 12 public schools has gotten worse, and about the same percentage of public school parents say the level of state funding for their local schools is “not enough.”

Newsom’s education approval is also significantly tied to location. Only in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area did Newsom receive a majority approval for education at 55 and 54 percent, while the less urban areas were more critical.

Parents in particular seem divided, as 50 percent of public school parents say the education system is going in the right direction and the same percentage said the opposite.

“Many parents resent the fact Newsom’s kids attended private school with in-person learning while public schools were closed,” California parent Paul Walker told Newsweek. “Now parents are angry that children are behind. While most parents like the teacher, they also recognize that many of the students are two, three or four years behind.”

Newsweek reached out to Newsom for comment via email.

Some of Newsom’s educational policies have centered on LGBTQ+-friendly curriculum, with the governor going as far as to propose fines on schools that do not adhere to the state’s specific social studies curriculum as approved.

That happened with the Temecula Valley Unified School District, a more conservative school system within the larger Democratic state, last year, when the government issued a $1.5 million fine threat.

“The three political activists on the school board have yet again proven they are more interested in breaking the law than doing their jobs of educating students — so the state will do their job for them,” Newsom said in a press statement at the time.

Newsom in the News

Newsome has received his fair share of pushback for several policies he has enacted.

A recent law that stipulated a $20 minimum wage for all fast-food workers was brought into question after social media revealed an inconsistency by the governor. PlumpJack Café in Olympic Valley, a restaurant Newsom partially owns, was shown looking for a $16 per hour busser, directly violating the minimum wage law Newsom passed.

Newsom has also been criticized for his actions potentially contributing to higher gas prices in the state. He has pushed to increase oversight on mega oil companies, but gas giant Chevron came out in opposition, saying Newsom’s moves could cause continued gas price hikes.

Update 4/17/24, 1:34 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Paul Walker.