Governor Gavin Newsom is joined by lawmakers, school leaders, and education advocates following the signing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bold contours of the recently enacted state budget frame the redefinition of public education that has occurred over the last 7 years,\u201d\u00a0said Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the California State Board of Education.\u00a0\u201cDespite continued revenue constraints and uncertainty around federal funding, the 2026 State Budget continues this administration\u2019s strong commitment to sustaining core TK\u201312 programs while also investing in the future of our schools. These thoughtful investments demonstrate California\u2019s continued commitment to opportunity, equity, and long-term success for all students, particularly those with the greatest needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have heard from families and from educators on the need to support students in Special Education; that is why I am extremely proud of this budget. These investments mean more reading specialists, more behavioral health aides, and more one-on-one support that will directly improve student outcomes,\u201d\u00a0said Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-Chula Vista), Chair of California State Assembly Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance.\u00a0\u201cFor students with disabilities, this means real progress in the classroom and beyond. I thank Governor Newsom for his partnership in funding this long-overdue investment that will make a difference for our kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis state budget contains record funding for Special Education to better serve students with disabilities and ensure that families have access to the support services they need,\u201d\u00a0said Senator Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena), Chair of Senate Education Committee and Chair of Subcommittee No.1 on Education.\u00a0\u201cThis historic\u00a0$2.4\u00a0billion increase is the largest investment of its kind in state history and reinforces that our students in Special Education are seen and valued. I applaud Governor Newsom for this important commitment to improving outcomes for California students with disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2026 State Budget includes a historic $80 million in ongoing funding for the special education extraordinary cost pool, which provides reimbursements to special education local plan areas for students with specified high-cost service needs, and the low-incidence disabilities add-on, which provides additional funding to support students with rare, highly specialized needs. The Budget also provides a one-time increase of $30 million for the Supporting Inclusive Practices Project, which provides resources to schools and educators to expand access to the general education environment for students with disabilities.<\/p>\n
The Budget includes a one-time $25 million increase for the Inclusive College Technical Assistance Center. The Center facilitates collaboration between local educational agencies and institutions of higher education to expand inclusive college opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, help those students develop life skills, and model inclusive postsecondary education communities.<\/p>\n
The Governor\u2019s Budget provides a one-time investment of $10 million to develop resources and provide technical assistance to support the implementation of alternative pathways and alternative means to a high school diploma for students with disabilities.<\/p>\n
Governor Newsom\u2019s commitment to TK-12 education<\/p>\n
Under the Newsom administration, California has dramatically increased investments in TK-12 public education, with a focus on\u00a0accelerating learning and prioritizing equity<\/a>, and has fundamentally transformed the promise of public education in the state. The 2026 Budget Act provided $151.4 billion in total TK-12 education funding \u2013 the highest funding ever for California students.<\/p>\n California has expanded access to universal education beginning at age four through transitional kindergarten; broadened access to free before- and after-school, and summer programs to more than 1 million elementary school students, providing nine hours of developmentally appropriate academic and enrichment activities each school day and six weeks each summer.\u00a0The state has placed literacy coaches in the highest-need schools as part of the comprehensive\u00a0Golden State Literacy Plan,<\/a>\u00a0which includes ensuring that all California students in grades K-2 are screened for reading difficulties to better assess the need for supports for long-term success. California also became the first state in the nation to guarantee universal school meals so that every child receives breakfast and lunch, regardless of family income.<\/p>\n The state\u2019s $4 billion Community Schools Initiative that has reached one of every four schools is another cornerstone of this transformation. Rigorous\u00a0recent research<\/a>\u00a0shows that schools participating in this initiative\u2014those that provide comprehensive supports for students and families\u2014demonstrate significantly greater gains in English language arts and mathematics achievement, along with lower chronic absenteeism and suspension rates, compared to similar schools without such supports. The 2026 Budget Act includes $1 billion in ongoing\u00a0funding\u00a0for existing community schools and expand the model to 3,700 additional school sites that have large concentrations of students from low-income families, English learners, and youth in foster care.<\/p>\n