Gov. Gavin Newsom is ratcheting up spending on California’s public schools as the number of students with extraordinary needs skyrockets.
Newsom signed away $2.4 billion for special education, part of Newsom’s recently signed California budget, is a stunning 43% increase over last year and is intended to help pay for literacy aides, behavioral health assistance and other specialized services for pupils with disabilities, advocates said at a Thursday press conference in Davis.
“I think we did fine with some earlier investments, but there was this gnawing understanding that we were, you know, failing more efficiently,” Newsom said at the press conference.
The $2.4 billion outlay reflects a cost-per-pupil of $1,340 — a record high that includes cost-of-living increases and growth in students with special needs.
The governor was flanked by schoolchildren who participated in a mock signing of the budget trailer bill that included the education funding, Assembly Bill 126.
Newsom’s budget also includes $80 million in reimbursements to districts for specialized student services; an increase of $30 million for the Supporting Inclusive Practices Project, which aims to expand school disability access; $25 million to increase opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and another $10 million to support “alternative pathways” to a high school diploma for students with disabilities.
“These investments mean more reading specialists, more behavioral health aides, and more one-on-one support that will directly improve student outcomes,” said Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-Chula Vista), who spoke at the Thursday event.
The funding announcement comes alongside a notable uptick in the share of students with documented disabilities in California.
The share of students who qualified for special education services climbed to 15% in 2024-25, compared to 13% in 2018-2019, according to EdSource — even as total public school enrollment declined in California.
In the early 2000s, the share of special education students was 10%, according to the state Legislative Analyst.
Most students with disabilities have relatively mild conditions, such as speech impediments or learning disorders such as dyslexia, the analyst noted. But the number of students with more serious conditions such as certain forms of autism has doubled over the past 25 years, according to the report.
The education bill isn’t the only move by Newsom to shake up the state’s struggling education system during his final year in office.
Testing results from last year show that just 49% of students met or exceeded state standards in English Language Arts, compared to an abysmal 37% in math and 33% in science.
In a budget agreement with the Legislature, Newsom stripped the duties of the state superintendent of schools, giving the executive branch more control of the Department of Education through an appointed commissioner.
The move reportedly blindsided current Superintendent Tony Thurmond, who called it “undemocratic” to the Sacramento Bee.
“He and I have a fundamental disagreement, and I couldn’t be more proud that the legislature and the people of the state demanded a new approach,” Newsom said.
“You know, change has its enemies. I’m for change,” he added.
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