tonight on "kqed newsroom," a supreme court nomination in jeopardy as kavanaugh faces sexual assault accusations. we'll tal with the bay area helawmakers who was first member of congress to hear about the sexual assault allegation from christine blasey ford. research reveals an alarms achievement gap that starts at a young age. >> welcome to "kqed newsroom." we begin with the hh court and politics. trump nominee for the supreme court brett kavanah is being accused of physical and sexual assault. ford said he assaulted her at a high school party 30 years ago. ? july ford described details of the alleged attack to her local

congresswoman. ford and kavanaugh have been asked to testify before the senate judiciary committee. >> and joining me now by skype from her office. is congresswoman. thank you for being here. >> good to be with you.th nk you. >> can you take us back to the day in july when you met with blasey ford in your office. how did she seem asld she you her story? >> i was struck by the she is an intelligent woman. she is highly educated. very deroted to family. concerned about her family. i think it was wrenching for her to share thy. st difficult to tell. was had a layer of emotion over it. which is no untypical of sexual abuseiims. victims of sexual abuse are

terrified. terrified that their will get out. what people will wy. thll be blamed. there's a whole raft of issues to touch to that. and i also shed with her that i was not here to tell h what i thought she should do. but rather if there were something she wished me tdo on her behalf that i was prepared to do that. b>> did youieve her? >> at the entd of meeting i saio r. ford i want you to know that i believe you. i d then i do now. o> president trump posted tweets thising say suggesting he has doubts about ford's story. what's your reaction to that? >> he's so misguided and uninformed. he had to do was to check with his own department ofst e to understand that there are these are fa ts, that

out of three sexual abuse cases are noted repo and there are many good reasons fo that. again, the victims are frightened. and many cases when they're young they don't want their families to know. they feel shed. they think they are going to be blamed. soth don'tk the president is the in the authority on this issue. let's leave it at that. >> miss ford says she will testify. kavanaugh has already agreed to testify. there are no other witnesses sul mono-ed. what's your reaction to the unfolding >> it's been a rocky road. it's been a rock ri road because i think that the over all that the committee has been more inclined in the following way. that is a rush to judgment. just rush it all, bring it to

the floor and vote it. get it behind them. this is onef the most consequential decisions that the united states senate makes. one of the most consequential th decisions fo american people. and i think the country and the american people are being left out of this. it's an appointment to a lifetime position. on th c highesturt of the land. so, i think that there should be a full hearing. the fbi should investigate because these are new allegations. the administration is said that judge kavanaugh has been vetted sever times. and he has. and that'sat approp but dr. ford's story was not part of the vetting. i also believe that mark judge should be subpoenaed. he was the third alleged party

to bet i room. and for him to be left out is a glaring, glaring i think sight.ful over >> we live in a different era than from the 1991 hill, thomas hear lgs. it was a panel of all whe men questioning ms. hill. now the committee has four four people of color. and the me too movement. do you think we have com far enough and will that make a difference this time around in terms of what we're seein with the ford kavanaugh situation. >> it's important to note the ohanges. which are welcome. they are on the democratic side. the women. several of the senators on the republican side were there for the aneat hillhearings. and they are still there. it's in all white male older cast that is in the majority. and of cour they have the

power to subpoena, they have the power of whatever the process is that's determined. so one side changed. and i would say the other side hasn't. i think where the most change hasce taken pls across the country with the american people. because there is a broa and deeper knowledge and appreciation for what the sexual abuse is in ourcountry. that is needs to be addressed. that it needs to be take seriously. and that those that come forward need to respected. >> with the midterm election seven weeks away we're hearing facebook is setting up a war room. this is to root out false news and fake w accounts as head into the election.w uch confidence do you have in facebook's efforts here to try to curb foreign i influence our election?

>> well i think it's important that they are doing what they're doing. relativ to their platform. and i appreciate that. i think it's important. but it doesn'tresolve the over all issue that we have in our country. of relative to the security of our voting system. we kn that the russians interfered. 2016. our national elections and votes that aret c if those are tampered with, then the democracy has been attacked. and so i would fault the majority in congress th despite our pleas, despite the legislation that has beenen wri the congress is not really lifted a finger to assure the american people that they are secur >> here california the state legislature hads passed a net neutrality bill that is waiting for the governor bill. this goes against recent moves

by the trump administration. it would stop internet providers from blocking and slowing certaineb sites unless they pay more. where do you stand on the bill? >> my colleagues think out of affection dubbed methe mother of net neutrality in the house. i have been on the issue for a long time. and have written with all of my colleagues the northern california congressional elegation urging that governor brown sign thatbill. >> all right. we thank you for your time. >> thank you. >> f more on the conversation between kavanaugh and ford and a look at california politicshl i'm joined by president of the democracy in color. republican political strategist. and senior writer at plit co. good to have back. we'll talk about the kavanaugh blasey ford show down i a moment.

the "new york times" is reporting today that deputy attorney general d rosenstein wanted to sectly tape meetings with trump and invoke the 25th amendment to have h removed from office? what do you make from this. he's deing all this. any credibility? >> he's having a bad night at happy hour. he got a professional hit on him by people within his own both at the department of justice and the fbi. based on the fact they don't think he's standing up enough to president trump. on releasing their material on russia and a host of other issues. >> it's ironic the president has disparaged the "new york times" as a failing paper. for so long. he's tweeting out this story. as his son is. and standing up to the story. as you said rosenstein is denyin it. the other point it does seem suspicious. it is anonymous sources.

>> what's it do to ede ility of all of those institutions? it's difficult to know what to believe now. >> this really is damaging to our federal government. particularly the top law enforcement. >> speaking of institutions. lete move to the su court. that is what has been the major story all week long. christine blas ford is saying she will testify. we don't know when. there was some resistance to it in the beginning and still a little bit now, to the timing and the conditions. how is all of this playing out? >> look, senator fnstein has taken criticism from both sides of the aisle. from president trump and her u.s. senate challenger. andat the same time christine ford is in this center of this fire storm. her defenders say she wants to testify. she just wants to meet and have conditions met by the senate. it looks like there maybe some

accommodation there. not all the way. the fact is what we need to look at is how is this going to affect the confirmation. the timing. which is critical. the first monday in october when theupreme courtsits and then how did it effect the turn out in the electi andnergy on both sides of the aisle. there's so much at stake for boides. >> i was reading speaking of the "new york times" the op-ed that hill wrote. i grew up watching her testify. we all did. >> years ago. do you know, she pointed out the structure the senate judiciary committee and senate has to deal with the claims sexual harassment hasn't changed in 30 yearsew feinstein kthat. she's been in office. >> she road the year othe woman. all the way to office. right after the hill hearings. >> she does bear responsibility. about the rule still in place. that make it difficult for people to have some lev of transparency. there should be a way.

for and a process to deal with andin discuss andstigate these claims. and there isn't.ho so should be changed in a long term thing. but i think senator feinstein and i think her citizens here in california expect her to do everything she cans a democrat to at least take t w cover off t is going on with kavanaugh light of the fact papers andri hisings haven't been released to the public. or leaked. i think she fell short on that. >> it's a curious situation when you have the senate challenger agreeing with president trump. on something. which is a both feel likest fen mishandled this situation. for different reasons. >> she still won't win the senate district. >> he's trying. >> in this instance, it is murky instein had this for six weeks. it could have been looked at and

vetted. it could have been part of the process going forward. there's a lot of republicans who feel that ruth bader ginsburg gets put forward 97-3. ginsburg comes up and smokes a marijuana smoked and knocked out. every republican that comes up goes through abuse. abuse publicans feel is by democrats on the partisan basis. i was in the bush white house for the thomas hearings. on the other side. i was the jr. staffer that was staffing this hearing. f and peoplt then this cake up in the last minute a last mip attack. from republican perspective they think these are rank, bias issues. this is a serious charge. and it needs be looked at in a credible way. and if evidence comes forward or credible, then it should be taken. >> rushing to a hearing and rushing to a vote.it ut involving fbi and other

investigation. does it make sense? have to move one year ago. from a democratic pay. i will say that president obama had a supreme court nominee. garland. for a listening time. and the rublicans delayed and delayed until they got to make their pick. and so from my perspective, the republicans aren't playing fair on this. it's not a transparent process. >> senator sfin feinstein in her defense says the privacy was the over riding concern.ul and c't ask for a investigation or turn it over without betraying the confidentiality. >> a week before the hearings it goes off the table. >> how did itea get d. >> a bush member of the bush has said the no reason why they can't do the fbi investigation. that shoulbe the bott line. >> i would say she suld be be

heard, he should be heard. if evidence or testimony comes up. that then goes to the next step. you can stop. look at exactly whatashe said. shet talked to the a staff about this matter when they want to intervi her in close door session or talked to the senators in close door. heard.he her be if this is credible and other witnesses come forward, the vote immediately. >> the burden of responsibility a proof of innocence is o kavanaugh. >> it's not. >> it isn't on christine ford. this is tas same there was a me too movement in the first place. women were not believed. and so we should be in 2018 operating from a different point of view. trump's recent tweet saying it was that bad you should have gone to the fbi shows e attitude of hasn't changed. it's ridiculous to sayhat about a 15 year-old girl. >> we have to move on. clearly a lot more to diuss on

this. i'm sure this will carry into next week. we may have you back. in the meantime let's move to the congressional races and midterms. because of course hanging over all of this t kavanaugh hearing, are the midterm elections. republicans are hoping to get it wrapped up as soon as possible. before the election. we have democrats now trying to flip 23 congressional use seats. seven in california. keyleground state here. what is happening in those races? >> they're becwling tight s very tight. let's look at congressional district 39. redistricting has made the population shift. it's 68% people of color. rt 30% asian pacificslander. the reason i point that out is because a across the country and in california primary there have been late surg and pollsters

and people have been surprised. by those who made it through primaries without establishment support. in fact one of three of the nominees that are on the november ballot are women of color. people whoug came th without democratic partyt'lessing. wh happening in orange county is that a sort of similar situatio where we have a heavily people of color population. and so it's all about turn out. and pollsters are saying it's slightly republican advantage. they're not looki at the incredible growth of women and tomen of color. in that distr alone. that will be the x factor. they're not counting it now. >> it'sthe heart of the revolution.i s in orange county this week. to see the turn out o women at these events. it was impressive. many san they have b involved politically was at the women's march.

many wome of color. it's going to be interesting to see. did they come out d vote? you're seeing signs that yes the energy is there now. and we may be in for a big in orange county. >> withey thoseight republican races, do you think there's enough momentum on the democratic side for a bluewave? >> i think the actualau kav process now has had a bit of ap negative on the races. i think republicans are getting moreie solid thinking there's raw politics being played and may raise the number of republicans that turn out. you're right. young kim is a woman of color. asian woman. and sdo will well in the district. i think all said and done across hethe country race probably comes down to whether african american oomen come in large numbers. >> we'll reste. th shawn walsh, amy and colin. thank you all.

>> turning to education. a nct research pro reveals big achievement gaps by race, income d ethnicity among california 6 million school childn. the achievement gap starts in n rgarten. while student test scores are improving. fourth and eigh grade students still perform low in reading and math. black and latin students having worse out comes than white peers. >> joining me now. one of t researchers who contributed to the report called getting down to facts too. alsoco san franc chronicle education reporter. jill tucker. welcome to you both. heather, one of the most troubling findings in your study acs theevement gap begins even before kids enter how is that so? >> great question. this set of studies we want t

find out where the achievement gap was happening and who it wan affe most. we have known for a long time we have gaps in fourth and eighth grade. we he those race income lines by language status. to what this paper and set of udies contributed is that we can see the gaps before students even set foot in school. >> what contributes to that. >> it's a fragmented early childhood system. a fragmented and under funded system. that some say isn't a system at all. children have -- so when they start, they're on different footing. based on theirst character coming into school. >> in terms of quality of child education?eschool what are the things that are part of the patch work quilt thatouoint out. >> any parent who has a child this age knows that right nin our state child care is very expensive. and also the quality of child care is not highly regulated.

across the state. so a lot of kids that parents can't afford to put into child care at all. and of the kids that are in a early childhood care orraining or education, there's a lot of variation. in terms of what they get from an educational perspective. there's a lot of variationin terms of the teachers that are in those positions. serving them. it's not a high wage position. there's not a lot of regulation around training. >> when i think was so interesting about that aspect of the study, the one thing i hought was really interestin about that information about children coming into kindergarten behi once they got into kindergarten california schools and the children kept pace. with other states across the country. which means if they could actually start on equal footing, our schools are p keepingce in terms of teaching them once they get there. it gives this really narrow zone

of where to focus some of thefo ts. if we can get them into kindergarten at the same level as pes ross the country. they'll keep up. >> what needs to happen to close thep? prior to. funding alone the >> there's a variety of issues with that. access, it's quality. and so my in the stateave been calling for universal preschool for many years. which would allow more control over that system. so far we haven't been able to. we made baby steps. we have transitional kindergarten. and we have preschool programs for low income family. it is a bit of pat work right now. it's not universal for all families and children. to rt of get us to the start line. >> funding alone is never enough. we have shown across all of the

36 studies that we need more money in the system. we know from decades of education research that if you put money into this system othe things ne be in place to make sure that money is well spent. it's the same with this early childhood situation. we need to make sure we have a good data system. so we can understand the service ts that the youngestar children receiving. and how that's affecting the out come. we need totrain tho early childhood teachers. so all kids are getting that high quality instruction. and make everyone gets that place in a classroom. >> there'sme an achie gap. once they get into the public school system we're able to help them close th gap. but is it enough for the to completely catch up? on par with students in other or do they start so far behind they never catch up? >> they are not able to catch up. because of that gap and how big its on day one, our schools are doing better than schools in

other states actuallng at clo it. they're not able to accelerate it to completely close the gap. so what we see in lifornia is most affluent students are achieving compared to thels hig lin other states. our low inme our black students and eveninglish langua learners. >> the rearch teams californ used to be a leader in early school education. but have fallen behind other states. how did thisn? happ >> great question. one of the things this is why we have tried to step back and think about the entire system. why we look atprek through 12 education chlts all of these pieces are related. and what we ha seen is there is a huge emp ss on k 12 education the past decade. and we have made some really vast improvement in the area. around funding and around support. hanges to the accountability syste and so not only do we still need

improvement in k 12. but the early childhood paces haven't been attended to. >> jill, funding alone can't fix everything. you would think some of the problems would have been mitigated because california hasz put in place finance reform. aimed at improving education. sce 2005. a formula tha le local districts determine how to spend state money. but best serves their so why haven't we seen more im ovement? >> we have seen some. and some places. but n wed to look at how to focus those dollars better. the report also states that california is last when it comes to counsellors and things like that. $100 per kid we could have better mental healthcare and healthcare for all students in the stay. the report says that to adequately fund schools compared

to other states we need another $22 million. which is about a third more. so it's not money solves all the equation. but money is part of t equation. and according to the study, we're about a third behind of where we should be. >> i want to ask you about glish learners a million of nem in california public education system. 40% of california studtts who ente school system are english learners. how are they >> some of the problems i discussed earlier are most felt by this group. so their achievement at kindergarten is thwer. aren't able to catch up to peers. and there's a lot of reasons for that. a few identified in the 36 studies that we conducted are around the quality of services that are provided to the students and around teachers. acthe trs that those students have. we didn't talk yet about teacher shortage is something that's identified as a looming issue. for the state. n and it' everywhere. we have teachers shortages in

urban areas and rural areas. and specifically for the students ins gro and english learners are particularly hit by that issue. >> all right. thank u forbringing us up to speed. t jillcker and heather. thanks for your time. that will do it for us. as always find more of the coverage kqed.org s room.ws thank you for joining us.

captioning sponsored by wnet >> sreenivasan: on this ed, ion for sundptember 23: plans emerge for the supreme court nonee and the woman accusing him of sexual assault to testify this we. in our signature segment, the ethical question facing architects who design prisons. and new discoveries about plastic pollution on a microscopic level. next on pbs newshour weekend. >> pbs newshour weekend is made possible by: bernard and irene schwartz. sue and edgar wachenheim iii. nd philip milstein family. dr. p. roy vagelos and diana t. vagelos. the j.p.b. foundation. rosalind p. walter. barbara hope zuckerberg. corporate funding is provided dey mutual of america--