California agreed to spend $2 billion to help children impacted the most to recover from lost learning and the mental health impact caused by school closures during COVID.

“The biggest part of this bill will identify the top-performing teachers in the state who are leaders in their school, mentors to their colleagues, and who are in assignments where they do the greatest good for the kids that are in the most need,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan.

New laws in at least 14 states and various restrictions elsewhere—or the threat of them—are leading many teachers to simply mention important figures in Black history without getting into the racism they faced.

Sarah Hernandez said her school board colleagues discriminated against her by failing to accommodate her disability. She hopes her victory, despite the small payout, leads to change.