California state lawmaker proposes program to help parents with out-of-pocket remote learning costs

As virtual learning is taking a toll on the mental wellbeing of children, parents of students who are being kept home because of coronavirus-related school closures are feeling a burden on their wallets – but help could be on the way. 

"Over the past year, school closures have had a devastating impact on the mental health and academic progress of California students," Kevin Kiley, the Republican state assembly member pushing for the creation of what he calls "Cal Grant K-12", told Fox News. "A central part of our state's strategy for overcoming learning loss should be to give parents greater control over their child’s education."    The bill, which is awaiting a hearing in the Assembly Education Committee, "incentivizes individuals and businesses to make donations that will provide eligible students scholarship funds they can use for approved expenses to help reduce pandemic-induced learning loss," according to Kiley’s office.