Department Of Education Yearly Budget

Education Budget

Public school funding is the largest program in the state budget, receiving more than 40 percent of the state’s General Fund resources. The 2014–15 state budget includes more than $45 billion in General Fund resources for kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) education and child development. Overall spending for California public schools is about $76.6 billion when federal funds and other funding sources are added.

The annual state budget is put in place by the Legislature and the Governor. The budget cycle begins when the Governor releases a proposed budget in January. The Legislature reviews the proposed budget and makes changes based on its priorities.

The Governor proposes budget revisions in May based on new information about state revenues. In June, the Legislature votes on the budget and sends it to the Governor for signature. The Governor can reduce spending items before approving the final budget.

The state budget directs how education funds are to be spent. At the local level, budgets are set by local school boards. Proposition 98, put in place by voters in the late 1980s, sets minimum funding levels for K–12 schools and community colleges.

The Education Budget – CalEdFacts page, now in electronic format only, provides information about the education budget.
The links and information below were developed for educators and others who use education budget information.

2017–18

Budget Act of 2017–18
July 18, 2017: Letter to County and District Superintendents, Direct-Funded Charter Administrators, and County Chief Business Officers regarding the 2017–18 Budget Act.

2016–17

Budget Act of 2016 –17
June 27, 2016: Letter to County and District Superintendents, Direct-Funded Charter Administrators, and County Chief Business Officers regarding the 2016–17 Budget Act.

2015–16

2015–16 Budget Tables
Table summaries of the 2015–16 state education budget, posted on October 29, 2015.
Governor’s Budget for 2015–16
Letter regarding the Governor’s budget proposals that affect kindergarten through grade twelve education and child care, posted on April 30, 2015.

2014–15

2014–15 Budget Tables
Table summaries of the 2014–15 state education budget, posted on August 29, 2014.
Budget Act for 2014–15
July 24, 2014: Letter to County and District Superintendents, Direct-Funded Charter Administrators, and County Chief Business Officers regarding the Budget Act for 2014–15.
Governor’s Budget for 2014–15
Letter regarding the Governor’s budget proposals that affect kindergarten through grade twelve education and child care, posted on March 19, 2014.

2013–14

2013–14 Budget Tables
Table summaries of the 2013–14 state education budget, posted on October 8, 2013.
Local Control Funding Formula
California’s new school funding formula, enacted in 2013. Actual funding allocations, when available, will be available via the Principal Apportionment page.
Budget Act for 2013–14
July 24, 2013: Letter to County and District Superintendents, Direct-Funded Charter Administrators, and County Chief Business Officers regarding the 2013–14 Budget Act.
Governor’s Budget for 2013–14
Letter regarding the Governor’s budget proposals that affect kindergarten through grade twelve education and child care, posted on March 4, 2013.

2012–13

2012–13 Budget Tables
Table summaries of the 2012–13 state education budget, posted on August 10, 2012.
Budget Act for 2012–13
August 6, 2012: Letter to County and District Superintendents, Direct-Funded Charter Administrators, and County Chief Business Officers regarding the 2012–13 Budget Act and related legislation. (Revised September 28, 2012, to reflect changes in Senate Bill 1028, Chapter 575, Statutes of 2012.)
Governor’s Budget for 2012–13
Letter regarding the Governor’s budget proposals that affect kindergarten through grade twelve education and child care, posted on February 28, 2012.

2011–12

2011–12 Budget Tables
Tabular summaries of the 2011–12 state education budget, posted on September 14, 2011.
2011 Budget Act and Related Legislation (Revised)
July 25, 2011: Revised letter to County and District Superintendents, Direct-Funded Charter Administrators, and County Chief Business Officers regarding the 2011–12 Budget Act and related legislation.
Governor’s Budget for 2011–12 and Legislative Actions to Date
Letter regarding the Governor’s budget proposals that affect kindergarten through grade 12 education and child care, posted on April 26, 2011.

2010–11

2010–11 Budget Tables
Tabular summaries of the 2010–11 state education budget, posted on April 19, 2011.
2010 Budget Act and Related Legislation (PDF)
December 1, 2010: Letter to County and District Superintendents, Direct-Funded Charter Administrators, and County Chief Business Officers regarding the 2010–11 Budget Act and related legislation.
Governor’s Budget for 2010–11
Summary of the Governor’s Budget for 2010–11 released in January 2010.

2009–10

Action on the 2008 and 2009 Budget Acts
Detailed summaries of the February 2009 and July 2009 actions on the 2008–09 and 2009–10 state education budgets.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Information on the education-related aspects of the federal stimulus package known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

2008–09

Summary of Budget Changes (PDF)
Budget changes resulting from the special session.