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

Mar 18, 2026 - Modern Governance Structure Began to Emerge in 1912. In 1912, the voters amended the Constitution to remove the SBE ’s ex officio members and allow the Legislature to determine the selection process.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

The 2026-27 Budget: K-12 Proposals

Feb 19, 2026 - For  LEAs with eligible school sites that do not opt in by November 1, 2026, trailer legislation specifies that LEAs will have the opportunity to submit a request to be considered for funding during regular intervals.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5131

The 2026-27 Budget: Child Care and State Preschool

Mar 19, 2026 - Slots are limited to budget appropriation. 80 Emergency Child Care Bridge Provides temporary child care services to children in foster care system and under age 13. Child care services are temporary until family finds longer ‑term child care solution. d 3,245 a Unless otherwise specified, child must be under age 13 and families must earn at or below 85  percent of the state median income to be eligible for subsidized child care programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5168

Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding

Jan 6, 2026 - The Legislature could consider modifying the allocation so that schools do not receive a larger share. Consistent with the requirements of Proposition   37, any changes to state law would likely require a two ‑thirds vote.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5100

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

Feb 4, 2026 - Whereas we recommend setting aside additional funding to meet the guarantee, we do not recommend a corresponding increase in school and community college spending this year. 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