Dollars, Democracy, and Education: The State Budget Process and K-12 School Funding

key takeaway TK enrollment in California has doubled since 2021-22, with growth across all student groups and high-poverty schools. To ensure all children benefit, the state must address disparities in access for students of color and those from low-income families. Early childhood education is foundational for young children’s development and their long-term outcomes, and preschool … Continued

key takeaway California is expanding Transitional Kindergarten to all four-year-old children by 2025-26, supported by state investments to improve access, staffing, and equity in public preschool programs. Early learning is foundational for young children’s development, and preschool programs provide essential opportunities for 3- and 4-year-olds. Recognizing this, in 2021, California policymakers embarked on a significant … Continued