State Superintendent Thurmond Praises New State Budget with Increases to Education Funding

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond thanked Governor Newsom for signing a 2019–20 state budget that increases funding for public education, education data systems, and teacher and administrator development.

“This budget helps to lift all of our students by improving our education system and increasing the resources that go to our schools,” said Thurmond. “The Governor and Legislature have adopted a budget that reflects their commitment to education as a priority for California.

“I look forward to working with the Governor, the Legislature, and stakeholders in the months ahead to make sure that we make the most of this unprecedented opportunity—building a comprehensive education system that serves all children and families, meeting them in the communities where they live, and preparing our students for higher education and the 21st century workforce.”

The Legislature approved the budget on June 15, the date required by the State Constitution. Governor Newsom’s signature on Thursday, June 27 means the new state funding plan starts on July 1.

California has the nation’s largest public school system, with more than 6.2 million students at more than 10,000 public schools.

Overall Proposition 98 funding—the voter-approved Constitutional guarantee for a minimum level of education funding—will go up to $81.1 billion, a $2.7 billion increase compared to the 2018–19 enacted budget. The new budget will provide $11,993 per pupil in the next fiscal year. The budget also includes:

• Fully funding the Local Control Funding Formula, including a statutory cost of living adjustment of 3.26 percent. The formula is California’s plan to help all students while providing additional resources to: low-income families, English learners, and foster youth.
• Adding more than $400 million to build on early education and child care programs and $646 million to improve the outcomes and meet the needs of students with disabilities.
• $10 million for the development of a statewide longitudinal education data system, $10 million to begin a statewide data system for early education, and $7.5 million for a broadband infrastructure program.

$38 million for the Educator Workforce Investment Grant. This investment will be used to provide professional development for our teachers in the areas of English language development and biliteracy, special education, and other important areas including ethnic studies.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100