Oakland, CA —“Students do not experience budgets as line items. They experience whether there is a qualified teacher in front of them and meaningful support in their classroom.

California has made major commitments to improving outcomes for students who have too often been underserved by the education system. Governor Newsom’s final budget should be judged by whether those promises are reaching the classrooms, campuses, and families facing the greatest barriers to opportunity.

California deserves credit for making a historic commitment to universal transitional kindergarten. But the success of universal transitional kindergarten cannot be measured by enrollment alone.

Families were promised high-quality early learning that prepares their children to succeed in school. Yet many districts continue to struggle with staffing, implementation, and ensuring classrooms reflect what we know young children need to learn and thrive.

If California wants universal TK to become one of its defining education accomplishments, the state must focus as much on implementation and quality as it did on expansion.

For K-12 students, investments in community schools, educator workforce initiatives, and math education could go a long way. The test is whether they ultimately amount to more qualified teachers in the schools that need them most, stronger math achievement, and measurable progress for multilingual learners, students from low-income families, and students of color.

Stronger governance will give students and families the transparency and accountability they need to assess whether their leaders pass that test. California’s landmark investment in dual enrollment, secured through years of advocacy by EdTrust-West and partners, will expand college and career pathways for Black, Latinx, and Native American students. But access is not completion.

The budget also includes $10 million to strengthen financial aid administration at California community colleges, helping more students complete financial aid applications and enroll in college. The next challenge is ensuring those students can afford to stay enrolled long enough to earn a degree.

Governor Newsom’s legacy will not be measured by the price tag of his final budget. It will be California’s commitment to historic investments that produce better outcomes for underserved students. EdTrust-West looks forward to working with the next governor to ensure these historic commitments continue to deliver better outcomes for underserved students.”