Last year, California lawmakers passed a state budget with record increases in funding for K–12 education. The education budget not only raises per-pupil funding to a record level, it also funds new initiatives to support learning recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, additional support for dual language learners, and a new multi-billion dollar block grant for instructional materials.
Register for Jay’s webinar, Funding Matters for California Teachers & Students, live on March 29th at 4pm PST.
These new initiatives are bringing significantly higher levels of support into K–12 classrooms across the state. California’s current fiscal year 2022–2023 education budget totals $123.9 billion, including a record $93.7 billion for Proposition 98 general funding for K–12 schools—a $23 billion increase over the previous year’s funding level. The budget also includes:
- Arts, music, and instructional materials discretionary block grant: This $3.56 billion flexible fund can be used to purchase standards-aligned materials for the arts, math, language learning, and other subjects.
- Learning recovery/extended learning: Starting with $1.8 billion this year and building to $5 billion over several years, the money will provide afterschool and summer enrichment programs for low-income elementary students.
- Increased funding for dual language immersion programs: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s California Comeback Plan provides $10 million to expand dual language immersion programs.
- Universal pre-K: The legislation provides $2.7 billion for free, universal pre-K programs that will be phased in over four years.
It is unlikely that such funding increases will be repeated in the upcoming 2023–2024 fiscal year budget. Because of slowing economic conditions, Gov. Newsom has proposed a modest cut of -1.3% to the proposed education budget, which could entail a cut to the new instructional materials block grant. The proposal will be debated by the legislature throughout the spring as part of the budget process.
For more information, join Vista Higher Learning for a special Funding Matters for California Teachers & Students webinar, scheduled at 4 pm PST, March 29. This webinar will discuss California’s recent funding increases for schools and provide an outlook for the upcoming fiscal year. Register here.
Learn more about Vista Higher Learning’s language and literacy solutions align with current grant and funding opportunities.
- ESSA Title I for Spanish Language Arts, Parts A: Low-income Students & Part C: Migratory Children
- ESSA Title I for English Literacy & Language Development, Parts A: Low-income Students & Part C: Migratory Children
- ESSA Title II for English Literacy & Language Development, Part A: Comprehensive Literacy Development
- ESSA Title III for Spanish Language Arts, Part A: English Language Acquisitions
- ESSA Title III for English Literacy & Language Development, Part A: English Language Acquisition
- ESSA Title IV for English Literacy & Language Development, Part A: Student Support & Enrichment Grants
- ESSA Title IV for English Literacy & Language Development, Part B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Register today for Jay’s free webinar, Funding Matters for California Teachers & Students, on March 29th at 4pm PST.
By Jay A. Diskey
Also read:
Funding Matters Podcast Series
Funding Matters: Historic Education Funding Proposal Advances on Capitol Hill
Congress Boosts Funding for English Learners Program
Districts Face Hurdles in Spending Record Amounts of Relief Funding
Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Doors: Inclusive Teaching in the Language Classroom
