The 2026-27 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 19, 2026 - Figure 2 shows the total number of subsidized child care slots, as well as total funding, since 2018‑19. Statutory intent language associated with the multiyear agreement would require an additional 44,000 slots in 2026‑27 and 33,000 in 2027‑28.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5168

The 2026-27 Budget: Re-Envisioning State Education Governance

Mar 18, 2026 - These studies recommended that the SBE (1)  become an advisory body or sounding board for the Governor and the head of CDE, and (2)  perform limited policymaking duties when explicitly directed by the Legislature.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

The 2026-27 Budget: K-12 Proposals

Feb 19, 2026 - (These are known as Tier 2 rates.) From 2022 ‑23 through 2024 ‑25, the state appropriation remained at $4  billion annually, while the Tier 1 rate and overall Tier 1 TK ‑6 attendance increased. As a result, funding available for Tier 2 rates decreased.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5131

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposition 98 Guarantee and K-12 Spending Plan

Feb 4, 2026 - Instead, we recommend (1)  making a larger deposit into the Proposition  98 Reserve, and (2)  adopting trailer legislation that automatically reduces the deposit if the 2025 ‑26 guarantee declines relative to May estimates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5110

Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding

Jan 6, 2026 - Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding Share of Increase Coming From Base 80% — 36% Alternatives 2 and 3 Provide More Targeted Funding to Support High ‑Needs Students. As Figure   18 shows, compared to enrollment ‑based funding and alternative 1, alternatives 2  and  3 provide more of the funding increases through grants targeted for English learners, low ‑income students, and foster youth.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5100