Assemblyman Steve Fox

Assemblyman Steve Fox, D-Palmdale, today announced that Assembly Bill (AB) 631 was approved by Governor Jerry Brown.  The bill, which also was passed unanimously by legislators in both the Senate and Assembly, allows juvenile court schools to provide extra English and math classes to students who have fallen behind academically.

“Children who struggle with reading and math often deal with unemployment as adults,” said Fox.  “Education is the mechanism that moves people into the mainstreams of society.”

The passage of AB 631 allows for additional English and mathematics classes for children in juvenile court schools to improve student proficiency. Test scores demonstrate many students in these schools are three or more years below grade level academically. Historically, when students lag behind scholastically, they continue to struggle as they move through the educational system or simply drop out. The goals of AB 631 are to target academic weaknesses of students while they are in juvenile court schools and to provide enriched educational opportunities that keep them from returning to juvenile camps.

“Now, the children who come to juvenile court schools may be able to change the course of their lives,” Fox said. “I am grateful to Governor Brown for his commitment to these vulnerable students and the future of our economy.”

AB 631 is the first bill in Fox’s freshman legislative package to be signed into law.