File Schooling Funding – California Academics Affiliation
On June 28, Governor Newsom signed a budget for 2021-22 that will allocate $ 93.7 billion in Proposition 98 to the K-14 public education – the highest amount in the state’s history.
The budget expands childcare significantly, adding a universal transitional kindergarten for 4-year-olds over the next five years, and creating the nation’s first free breakfast and lunch program for all students starting in 2022-23.
“We applaud this budget’s historic commitment to public education and the support that California students need at all stages of life, from expanding their transition kindergarten to making significant investments in K-12 and higher education,” said CTA President E. Toby Boyd . “We commend the governor and legislature for investing in academic programs and in mental health and social and family support, including prioritizing the establishment of community schools for this year and beyond.”
The highlights of the budget include:
- $ 5 billion over several years for summer schools and other elementary school enrichment programs.
- $ 2.4 billion in multiple programs that invest in teacher recruitment, training and retention.
- $ 1.9 billion, almost entirely from federal funds, to provide a $ 500 college savings account for every low-income California student in grades 1-12 in 2021-22 in 2021-22. After that year, the state will allocate $ 170 million annually from the general fund to create a college savings account for every low-income first grader.
- Provided a 5.07 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and for community colleges.
- $ 3 billion to develop community schools with student health services, daycare, and mental health and family programs.
Independent learning Expand the state’s independent study program to require that every public school district provide distance learning opportunities for students who are medically frail, unable to be vaccinated, or whose parents are unsafe to send them to school.
Transitional kindergarten – Adoption of a universal transitional kindergarten, gradual expansion of entitlement to full implementation in the period 2025-26. Provides ongoing funding for the telecommunications expansion of approximately $ 2.7 billion when fully implemented.
Special education – Increases ongoing special education funding by $ 396 million. Includes $ 550 million in one-time funding to support students with disabilities and $ 277.7 million in one-time federal IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funding for local support.
Adult education centers – Offers ongoing funding of 5.07 percent COLA, or $ 371.2 million. Provides $ 100 million in ongoing Prop. 98 funding to increase full-time instructor recruitment and $ 90 million one-time and $ 10 million ongoing funding to support office hours for part-time faculties; Aims $ 20 Million In One-Time Funding To Support Faculty’s Professional Development; and provides a one-time funding of $ 115 million for courses that do not include textbook costs.
Behavioral health – Invested a total of $ 4.4 billion over five years to create a new, modern, and innovative behavioral health system for children and adolescents 25 and under. This includes $ 205 million for the Mental Health Student Services Act to fund school and county mental health partnerships that support the mental health and emotional needs of children and teenagers as they return to school and everyday life .
