K thru 12 Education
Program Adjustments


SECOND GRADE TESTING
 The Budget provides $2.1 million in Proposition 98 General Fund to continue second grade testing under the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program. Without second grade testing, the first information about student performance related to state-aligned standards would not be available until the beginning of fourth grade. Continuation of second grade testing will continue to provide valuable information on whether or not a student has mastered basic reading skills. It will also continue to provide teachers and school administrators a critical tool for early identification of students who need additional support.


MAKING SCHOOL MEALS HEALTHY
 The Budget provides $24.9 million in Proposition 98 General Fund for a 4.7-cent increase to the school meal reimbursement rate if legislation is enacted that improves the nutritional quality of meals served to California's students. Specifically, the Administration supports legislation that would prohibit food items that contain artificial trans fat and foods fried in unhealthy oils from being served in the Child Nutrition Program. It is widely accepted that trans fats are unhealthy and contribute to the current childhood obesity epidemic and that foods fried in unhealthy oils have a negative effect on cardiovascular health. This funding increase will allow school districts to serve healthier meals to California's students and illustrates the Administration's continued commitment to improving student health.


CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION
 As discussed in greater detail in the higher education section, the Budget continues substantial investments in career technical education (CTE), consistent with the Governor's initiative begun in 2005-06. In total, the Budget provides $52 million ($20 million in ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund and $32 million pursuant to the CTA vs. Schwarzenegger settlement appropriated by Chapter 751, Statutes of 2006) to continue systematic investments aimed at restoring and reinvigorating high school vocational programs through curriculum enhancements, as well as course sequencing and articulation between K-12 tech-prep programs and community college economic development programs.

A specific 2007-08 expenditure plan is currently being finalized by the Chancellor's Office in conjunction with the State Department of Education, and is anticipated to include new grant opportunities in a variety of critical areas that will better prepare students for employment in high-demand technical careers and further skill development in postsecondary education. The Administration has also sponsored legislation to streamline the credentialing process for CTE instructors that should assist in the current teacher shortage.


DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS
 The Budget provides a total of $277.4 million to fully fund the Deferred Maintenance program. For the 2007-08 fiscal year, this program will be funded with $161.9 million in ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund and $115.5 million in one-time Proposition 98 Reversion Account funding.

The Budget also provides another $100 million transfer from the Reversion Account to the Emergency Repair Account in satisfaction of the Williams settlement agreement. This reflects the third increment of funding for the program bringing the total transfers to $438 million. However, the unspent balance in this account is currently $300 million. Therefore, in order to maximize the available revenue for other school spending, the budget transfers $250 million of the existing balance back to the Reversion Account on a temporary basis, which will still leave $150 million available in the near term. Nevertheless, the Budget's control provisons insure that funds from the Reversion Account will be transferred back when needed in the event that actual demand on the Emergency Repair Account exceeds budget year expectations.


CALIFORNIA PUPIL ACHIEVEMENT DATA
 The Budget includes $3.9 million (from all funds) to support the development of the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System. The state is currently reviewing bids for implementation, and plans on initiating development in 2007-08. The funding complements $31 million provided by the state in 2006-07 over three years to support all districts in preparing for the transition to the longitudinal system--$1.5 million for the California School Information Services for technical support, and $29.5 million in local preparation grants.


CHILD CARE
 The Budget Act appropriates more than $3.3 billion for K-12 child care programs, including funding for general child care, CalWORKs child care, preschool, and before and after school programs. Allocated through all the K-12 child care programs, these funds will provide almost 950,000 child care slots.

The Budget also continues $50 million in Proposition 98 funding for the first phase of a three-year initiative to expand preschool opportunities for four-year olds residing in attendance areas of schools ranked in the lowest three deciles of the 2005 Academic Performance Index, pursuant to the provisions of the Pre-Kindergarten Family Literacy program.

In addition, the Budget Act appropriates $6.8 million to provide for an increase in the income eligibility threshold for subsidized child care. The income eligibility threshold will be raised to $50,250 for a family of four to reflect an increase in the 2007-08 State Median Income.
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CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS for K thru 12 Education Back to Top

 Total K-12 Funding
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PRINTABLE BUDGET DOCUMENTS Back to Top
Enacted Budget Summary - K thru 12 Education (pdf * - 42K) -
Provides the entire K thru 12 Education Chapter in pdf format.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back to Top
Enacted Budget Detail - K thru 12 Education
Displays Enacted Budget Detail information for K thru 12 Education.