Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to increase funding for K-12 special education by $2.4 billion. Newsom signed AB 126, the education trailer bill for the California state budget, which allocated an additional 43% from the 2025 Budget Act for special education funding. This increase in budget ensures that all local educational agencies in the state can receive special education funding at the same rate and will increase the per-student rate to $1,340. “I’ve heard directly from parents across California: their kids need more, and they deserve better. These actions answer that call. Today, we are making record investments in special education to build a stronger system that gives every child the opportunity to succeed and leaves California’s schools better than we found them,” Newsom said. The 2026 state budget includes $80 million in ongoing funding for California’s special education extraordinary cost pool and the low-incidence disabilities add-on, programs that help schools cover services for students with high-cost and specialized needs.The budget also includes a one-time $30 million increase for the Supporting Inclusive Practices Project, which helps schools and educators expand access to general education classrooms for students with disabilities.In addition, the budget provides a one-time $25 million increase for the Inclusive College Technical Assistance Center, which works with school districts and colleges to expand postsecondary opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Another one-time investment of $10 million is aimed at developing resources and technical assistance to support alternative pathways to a high school diploma for students with disabilities.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to increase funding for K-12 special education by $2.4 billion.

Newsom signed AB 126, the education trailer bill for the California state budget, which allocated an additional 43% from the 2025 Budget Act for special education funding.

This increase in budget ensures that all local educational agencies in the state can receive special education funding at the same rate and will increase the per-student rate to $1,340.

“I’ve heard directly from parents across California: their kids need more, and they deserve better. These actions answer that call. Today, we are making record investments in special education to build a stronger system that gives every child the opportunity to succeed and leaves California’s schools better than we found them,” Newsom said.

The 2026 state budget includes $80 million in ongoing funding for California’s special education extraordinary cost pool and the low-incidence disabilities add-on, programs that help schools cover services for students with high-cost and specialized needs.

The budget also includes a one-time $30 million increase for the Supporting Inclusive Practices Project, which helps schools and educators expand access to general education classrooms for students with disabilities.

In addition, the budget provides a one-time $25 million increase for the Inclusive College Technical Assistance Center, which works with school districts and colleges to expand postsecondary opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Another one-time investment of $10 million is aimed at developing resources and technical assistance to support alternative pathways to a high school diploma for students with disabilities.