An Education Trust-West study found wide achievement gaps, even though Latino students make up a majority of students.
Standardized test results from 2015 and 2016 show disadvantaged students aren't progressing as quickly as wealthier, English-fluent peers.
Next Generation Science Standards aim to reach minorities, English learners and others underrepresented in science fields.
State statistics show that 83.2 percent of students who entered high school in 2012-13 had graduated by 2016. But gaps as large as 20 percentage points separate some ethnic groups.
In some cases, English learners outscored their English-proficient peers on standardized tests.
Researchers find achievement gap at kindergarten is narrowing
The program is attempting to alleviate a persistent achievement gap.
Preschool teachers paid about half of what kindergarten teachers make.
The proposed funding would increase the number of college preparation courses.
California ranked 10th among 35 states based on achievement gaps in large cities.
