On June 26, 2026, the governor and legislature announced their Budget Act for the 26-27 Fiscal Year. We are grateful state leaders are uplifting the needs of immigrant students and English learners amid a difficult and unpredictable fiscal landscape. While the federal administration continues to make moves to dissolve critical programs and funding lifelines, California is making significant investments in the education of its high-need students.
Major Wins:
- $100 million for the California New Americans in Schools program (formerly known as CalNEW)
- $10 million for the Bilingual Teacher Pathway program
- Rejection of the proposed definition changes for long-term English learners and students at risk of becoming long-term English learners
- 90 days of sufficient instruction will be provided to kindergarten students before reading difficulties screeners are administered
Other noteworthy investments:
- $2.4 billion ongoing for special education base rate increases
- $1 billion ongoing for community schools
- $5 billion for Student Support and Discretionary Block Grant
- $75 million for Dream Resource Center Grant Program
- $250 million for teacher residency programs
- $100 million for dual enrollment programs
- $27.8 million for Golden State Teacher Grant
- $40 million for professional development on reading screeners
- $5 million for UCSF Dyslexia Center’s Multitude Screener
- $350 million for literacy coaches
- $50 million for Math Professional Learning Partnership
Notable Absence: Unfortunately, the Educator Workforce Investment Grant for English Learner Roadmap Implementation was not renewed in the final budget agreement, and is due to expire this month. With the AB 2074 Workgroup due to submit their EL Roadmap Implementation Plan in November, we look forward to continuing to uplift this critical program and pushing for a renewal in next year’s budget plan.
This budget sends an important message that the needs of immigrant students and English learners can not be overlooked, and should be at the forefront of education priorities – especially amid unprecedented attacks against these students and their families. We thank Governor Newsom, and legislative leadership and Budget Committee chairs for their tireless efforts to uplift our students. While we celebrate these wins, we also continue to plan for the future.