Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year prioritizes education and maintains current funding levels for key programs. Despite a projected shortfall of nearly $38 billion, funding for K-12 schools and community colleges is estimated to be $109.1 billion in 2024-25, with per-pupil funding totaling $23,519 when accounting for all funding sources.

California provides academic instruction and support services to nearly six million students in grades kindergarten through twelve in more than 10,000 schools throughout the state. Despite a challenging fiscal environment this year, the Governor's Budget maintains investments that are critical to improving instruction and support for students, including funding for community schools, universal school meals, expanded learning opportunities, education workforce, and continued implementation of universal transitional kindergarten. The Budget includes several proposals intended to support teacher preparation and professional development to improve access to the educator pipeline. This includes recognizing completion of a bachelor’s degree as satisfying the basic skills requirement for a credential and improving transcript review to certify subject matter competency.  

Additionally, the Budget proposes language to better enable school staff to be equipped with the tools needed to recognize and offer appropriate mental health supports to students in a way that is aligned with other state investments in this area, including professional development opportunities.

The governor has proposed using a withdrawal from the state's rainy-day reserve to fully fund schools and community colleges, as well as implementing cuts in other areas to ensure fiscal stability. The proposal will now go through the state's legislative process, where it will be debated and potentially amended before being finalized. 

• Read the Governor’s Proposed Budget 

• Read Dr. Duardo’s Statement in response to the Governor’s Proposed Budget

• Learn how California schools are funded