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

Mar 18, 2026 - Regarding the SPI, we recommend authorizing the position to undertake three main activities: (1)  representing the interests of the public, (2)  reporting on the condition of education and recommending improvements, and (3)  evaluating laws and programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 19, 2026 - The state provides families with subsidized child care through various child care and development programs ( Figure  1 ). Most  of the state ’s subsidized child care is administered by DSS through three programs: (1)  California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) child care, (2)  the California Alternative Payment Program (CAPP), and (3)  the General Child Care program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5168

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

Feb 4, 2026 - The Proposition  98 reserve is particularly powerful because it (1)  can be accessed relatively quickly, (2)  can support any school or community college activities, and (3)  avoids disrupting district cash flow (unlike payment deferrals).
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

The 2026-27 Budget: K-12 Proposals

Feb 19, 2026 - (The funding increases also covered the costs of lowering the Tier 1 threshold and increasing minimum grant amounts.) Figure 6 ELOP Funding Tiers and Rates Over Time Tier 1 EL/LI Threshold Tier 1 Rate Per EL/LI Student Tier 2 Rate Per EL/LI Student 2021 ‑22
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5131