The 2026-27 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 19, 2026 - Under the Governor’s proposal, the state would calculate the increases separately for child care programs administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS), State Preschool programs operated by local education agencies (LEAs), and State Preschool programs operated by non‑LEAs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5168

The 2026-27 Budget: Computer Science Supplementary Authorization

Mar 6, 2026 - No additional funding is proposed for the program . Assessment Proposal Unlikely to Change the Limited Demand for Program. Only one-fifth of the amount available has been awarded after nine rounds of funding, suggesting school districts have little interest in this program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5153

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

Mar 18, 2026 - Evaluating Laws and Programs. The SPI could also report to the Legislature, Governor, and broader public on existing laws and programs. In this work, the SPI would offer recommendations for areas that need improvement.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

The 2026-27 Budget: K-12 Proposals

Feb 19, 2026 - Establishing a New Ongoing Categorial Program Disadvantages to Creating a New Ongoing Categorical Program. In 2013, the state created LCFF and eliminated dozens of programs that provided funding for restricted or targeted purposes, also known as categorical programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5131

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

Feb 4, 2026 - The third challenge involves the risk to school and community college programs from future declines in the guarantee. The state would likely have to reduce these programs if the guarantee declines significantly, which could negatively affect the education students receive.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5110

The 2026-27 Budget: Computer Science Supplementary Authorization [Publication Details]

Mar 6, 2026 - This post analyzes the Governor’s budget proposal to increase the size of grants and extend the Computer Science Supplementary Authorization Incentive program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5153

Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding

Jan 6, 2026 - Considerations for Other Programs Shifting to Enrollment May Require Changes to Other Programs. Several existing programs and state policies rely on the use of attendance. If  the state were considering shifting all programs to enrollment, the Legislature may want to consider how this would impact other programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5100

Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding [Publication Details]

Jan 6, 2026 - Chapter 442 of 2024 (SB 98, Portantino) requires our office to report on the effects of changing the student count methodology of the Local Control Funding Formula and other K-12 education programs from average daily attendance to student enrollment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5100