The 2026-27 Budget: K-12 Proposals

Feb 19, 2026 - Presumes Best Practices Can Be Scaled. Many categorical programs were created to encourage statewide adoption of best practices found to be effective. However, implementing best practices does not necessarily result in the same type of strong improvements when scaled at a state level.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5131

Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding

Jan 6, 2026 - Provide One ‑Time Grants for Training and Sharing Best Practices. The state could use one ‑time Proposition  98 funding to contract with one or more LEAs experienced in implementing effective attendance improvement initiatives to provide training across the state.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5100

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

Mar 18, 2026 - Considering Adding Legislative Appointees to the SBE. The Legislature could consider adding two legislative appointees to the SBE. These appointees could enable greater legislative oversight of the new governance system and ensure the SBE ’s policies are consistent with legislative intent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

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

Feb 4, 2026 - The proposal effectively shifts that cost from this year to future budgets —helping address the current budget problem on a one ‑time basis, but adding to the large budget deficits the state is projecting over the next several years.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5110