Major investments in Professional Development and Community Schools
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the 2026–27 California state budget, confirming a $128 billion investment in public education including record per-student funding, which is projected to rise to $21,100 — a 9.5% increase.
In the 2026-27 fiscal year, which started July 1, additional funding is being provided for professional development, creating thousands of community schools, and expanding after-school and summer school programs targeting low-income K-6 students.
The budget introduces a $5 billion one-time Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant. This funding gives administrators extensive local flexibility, allowing districts to tailor spending directly toward educator training.
Another highlight for district operations is a 4.31% “super COLA” (Cost-of-Living Adjustment).
The budget also includes targeted spending increases:
– An extra $350 million to extend funding of reading coaches at high-poverty schools, for another five years.
– $428 million invested into teacher pipeline programs alongside funding for paid pregnancy leave for educators—a dual victory for staff recruitment and retention.
– $146 million specifically allocated for homeless youth services to expand support for vulnerable student populations.
The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) is shifting from a patchwork of one-time grants into a permanent, predictable fixture of school financing with the establishment of $1 billion in permanent, ongoing annual funding from the Proposition 98 General Fund. This ongoing allocation ensures eligible high-needs schools (typically those with an unduplicated pupil percentage over ~65%) can permanently sustain their community school structures and staff.
The budget also repurposes $485 million from existing CCSPP reserves to target immediate, specific expansion needs, building upon the $4.1 billion California has invested in the CCSPP since the 2021–22 school year. That multi-billion-dollar push has already funded planning and implementation at nearly 2,500 campuses—roughly one out of every four public schools in the state. The new funding is projected to expand eligibility to an additional 3,700 schools annually.
State Superintendent for Public Education Tony Thurmond issued the following statement: “I’m pleased to see the priorities I’ve championed during my tenure as State Superintendent reflected in this budget package. California continues to invest in critical support for students, teachers, and staff. This budget includes record investments enhanced by a ‘super COLA’ of 4.31 percent, a $5 billion one-time Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, and permanent ongoing funding to expand the Community Schools program. I’m especially grateful to the Legislature for prioritizing support for students experiencing homelessness with $146 million for homeless youth services, consistent with my sponsored legislation Assembly Bill 673.”