Education finance: education omnibus trailer bill

The omnibus budget law changes how existing and new education funds may be spent, how long they remain available, and which students and schools receive support. It also shifts many K–12 duties to the Education Commissioner and State Department of Education beginning January 1, 2027.

What the law does ​

• Extends or redirects appropriations for math educator training, preschool and transitional kindergarten, community schools, literacy coaching, career pathways, inclusive practices, support for homeless students, and multi-tiered school supports.
• Provides $400 million for school kitchens, meal-service infrastructure, food-service training, California-grown and minimally processed foods, food pantries, and food education.
• Requires preschool grant recipients without a prior local plan to develop and publicly consider one, and directs universal-preschool planning grants to one local educational agency lead in each county.
• Allows community-school planning money to support shared schoolsite decisionmaking teams and delays the community-schools certification-cost authority until 2031–32.
• Expands dual-enrollment renewal grants and limits specified attendance-credit rules for dual-enrollment courses to programs operating under College and Career Access Pathways agreements.
• Expands bilingual-teacher pathway grant eligibility to individual local educational agencies, postpones program implementation to 2027, and revises special-education teacher grants to require a preliminary special education credential.
• Requires additional technical assistance in 2026–27 for districts and county offices identified on the 2025 California School Dashboard, and bases prioritized-support determinations on the most recent performance year.
• Allows school meal reimbursement funds, with department approval, to pay for meal-service infrastructure upgrades.

Who it affects ​

• Public school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, community colleges, and schoolsite educators.
• Preschool, transitional-kindergarten, and kindergarten pupils, including children with disabilities and dual-language learners.
• Students receiving literacy, community-school, dual-enrollment, immigrant-family, Dream Resource Center, homelessness, and special-education supports.
• School food-service workers, teacher candidates, bilingual-teacher candidates, and special-education teacher candidates.

Context ​

The measure takes effect immediately as a budget-related appropriations bill, while its education-governance transition provisions take effect January 1, 2027.

Breakdown ​

Mathematics Training Funding Timeline ​

SB 133 extends the time that $50 million for the Mathematics Professional Learning Partnership can be committed, through June 30, 2031. It also moves the deadline for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools to submit its revised spending plan to the Department of Finance from October 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026.

Key takeaways

• The bill keeps the existing $50 million General Fund appropriation available for commitment through June 30, 2031.
• The funding supports educator training for implementation of the new mathematics curriculum framework, including training for mathematics coaches, teachers, and school administrators.
• The Kern County Superintendent of Schools must submit its revised spending plan by December 1, 2026, rather than October 1, 2026.
• Extending the period to commit the existing funds is treated as an appropriation under the bill.

Early Education Grant Changes ​

SB 133 adds planning requirements for some recipients of prekindergarten implementation grants, allows certain returned grant funds to support teacher workforce and training grants, and extends deadlines for using specified prekindergarten funds. It also redirects $50 million in Universal Preschool Planning Grant funding so the Department of Education allocates it to one designated local educational agency lead agency in each county under new grant rules.

Key takeaways

• A local educational agency receiving a Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant without an existing local plan must develop one, present it for consideration at a public governing-board meeting, and provide it to the Department of Education upon request.
• The Department of Education may use returned or recovered funds from specified Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant appropriations for competitive grants that expand qualified preschool and transitional kindergarten teachers and provide teacher training.
• The bill extends specified periods for committing and spending certain Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant funds.
• The bill changes the authorized uses of previously appropriated funds, including by allowing some funds to support teacher workforce and training grants.
• The $50 million appropriated for Universal Preschool Planning Grant renewal or new consortium grants must instead be allocated to one designated local educational agency lead agency in each county under specified grant provisions.

Community Schools Program Support ​

This bill extends the role of the state transformational assistance center through the 2029–30 school year, unless the State Board of Education adopts a new technical-assistance structure sooner. It also allows community schools planning money to pay for convening a schoolsite’s shared decisionmaking team or council to prepare its implementation plan. The bill makes up to $10 million available for technical assistance and changes when some of that money may support certification costs.

Key takeaways

• The local educational agency operating the state transformational assistance center may continue in that role from the 2026–27 through 2029–30 school years, or until the State Board of Education adopts a new community schools technical-assistance structure.
• Community schools planning funds may be used to convene a schoolsite’s shared decisionmaking team or council to develop its community school implementation plan.
• Up to $10 million of the 2026–27 community schools appropriation may be used for the technical-assistance structure, network, and related purposes.
• The bill delays authorization to use this funding for ongoing certification-process costs until the 2031–32 fiscal year.
• At least $2 million of the technical-assistance funding must be allocated, with approval from the state board’s executive director, to the local educational agency operating the state transformational assistance center.

K–12 High-Speed Network Updates ​

The bill updates the K–12 High-Speed Network’s internet-service duties to reflect current digital learning needs. It also requires the network’s advisory board to provide an annual report on program highlights to the California Department of Education and the Department of Finance by March 1 each year.

Key takeaways

• The K–12 High-Speed Network must provide internet service sufficient for bandwidth-intensive applications, digital learning, and related independent study capabilities.
• The bill replaces the prior specific reference to videoconferencing with broader coverage of bandwidth-intensive applications and digital learning.
• The K–12 High-Speed Network advisory board must submit an annual report with program highlights by March 1 each year.
• The annual report must be sent to the California Department of Education and the Department of Finance.

Education Commissioner Transition ​

Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill updates additional state education laws to shift specified duties and authority from the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the Education Commissioner or the State Department of Education. It also provides that when federal law refers to a chief state school officer, that reference means the Education Commissioner.

Key takeaways

• Federal references to a chief state school officer will mean the Education Commissioner starting January 1, 2027.
• The bill extends the transfer of duties, powers, responsibilities, and jurisdiction from the Superintendent to the Education Commissioner or department under additional specified laws.
• Actions previously taken by the Superintendent under those added laws will be treated as actions taken by the Education Commissioner or department, as applicable.
• The bill does not change the rule that a federal designation of the state agency primarily responsible for supervising public schools refers to the State Board of Education.

School Meal Infrastructure Upgrades ​

SB 133 allows school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to use state-funded meal reimbursements for approved infrastructure upgrades that support and improve school meal service. The California Department of Education must approve the upgrades in advance.

Key takeaways

• Local educational agencies may use state-funded meal reimbursement money for school meal service infrastructure upgrades.
• The upgrades must support the operation or improvement of school meal service.
• The California Department of Education must approve the use of reimbursement funds before the upgrades are made.
• This authority applies despite other laws that might otherwise limit how the meal reimbursement funds may be used.

Support Grant Deadline Extension ​

SB 133 extends the timeline for certain Multi-Tiered Systems of Support grant funds managed by the Orange County Department of Education. With department review and approval, subgrantees may spend already-encumbered funds through June 30, 2027. The department may also use funds that have not yet been encumbered to support local educational agencies affected by the January 2025 fire emergency through that date.

Key takeaways

• Subgrantees may spend previously encumbered grant funds until June 30, 2027, if the Orange County Department of Education reviews and approves the spending.
• The bill extends the prior June 30, 2026, deadline for spending these already-encumbered funds.
• Funds that have not been encumbered may be used by the Orange County Department of Education through June 30, 2027, to assist local educational agencies affected by the January 2025 fire emergency.
• Extending these spending and encumbrance periods continues the availability of an existing state appropriation.
• The bill may add administrative duties for the Orange County Department of Education.

Dual Enrollment Grant Renewals ​

SB 133 requires renewal grants for applicants that previously received certain dual enrollment grants. To qualify, an applicant must complete the requirements for that same type of grant and must not already be in an active grant period for it. The change applies to grants supporting middle college or early college programs and CCAP dual enrollment partnerships.

Key takeaways

• Applicants that previously received a qualifying dual enrollment grant must receive a renewal grant if they meet the applicable requirements.
• An applicant must complete the requirements tied to the specific grant type before receiving its renewal grant.
• Applicants cannot receive a renewal grant for a grant type while they are still in an active grant period for that type.
• The renewal requirement covers grants for middle college or early college programs and for College and Career Access Pathways dual enrollment partnerships.

Bilingual Teacher Pathways Program ​

This part delays the Pathways to Bilingual Teaching Program until January 1, 2027. It expands grant eligibility to individual local educational agencies, while continuing to give priority to groups of those agencies. It also makes graduate-hiring agreements optional and changes the program's reporting rules.

Key takeaways

• The program's implementation is delayed until January 1, 2027.
• Individual school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and certain regional occupational centers or programs may apply for grants.
• Groups of local educational agencies remain the priority for grant awards.
• Broader consortia may, but no longer must, make agreements with local educational agencies to hire qualified program graduates for bilingual teaching positions.
• The bill revises the Commission on Teacher Credentialing's reporting requirements for the program.

Declining Enrollment Planning Hearings ​

SB 133 changes when and how school districts and charter schools must discuss plans for declining enrollment as a condition of receiving specified block grant funds. The required public hearing must now occur alongside the public hearing for the local control and accountability plan. The plans must address a broader list of possible responses, including enrollment recruitment and retention, programs, class sizes, facilities, and local revenue options.

Key takeaways

• School districts and charter schools with current or projected declining enrollment must hold the required planning hearing together with their local control and accountability plan hearing.
• The declining-enrollment plans must include strategies for attracting and retaining students.
• The plans must address course offerings, new program opportunities, and reducing class sizes.
• The plans must address facilities management, including possible school consolidations or closures.
• The plans must also address local revenue options.

Dual Enrollment Attendance Rules ​

SB 133 limits a special attendance rule for certain high school students taking dual enrollment courses. To count as a 180-minute school day, the dual enrollment course must now be offered through a College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership agreement.

Key takeaways

• The bill applies to students in grades 11 and 12 who are enrolled in specified early college, middle college, or dual enrollment programs.
• It requires dual enrollment courses to be offered under a CCAP partnership agreement for the 180-minute attendance rule to apply.
• Dual enrollment courses offered without a CCAP agreement no longer qualify for this attendance treatment.

Earlier Technical Assistance and Support Identification ​

For 2026–27, the bill requires county superintendents and the state Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide technical assistance based on results reported on the 2025 California School Dashboard. It also changes how the Department of Education identifies local educational agencies for prioritized support, requiring it to use only the most recent year of state performance data and the state board’s specified criteria.

Key takeaways

• County superintendents must provide technical assistance in 2026–27 to school districts whose pupil subgroups meet state performance criteria on the 2025 California School Dashboard.
• The Superintendent of Public Instruction must provide technical assistance in 2026–27 to county offices of education whose pupil subgroups meet those criteria on the 2025 dashboard.
• These duties apply before the existing technical-assistance requirements tied to the release of the 2026 dashboard.
• The new duties for county superintendents create a state-required local program.
• The Department of Education must identify agencies for prioritized support using only the most recent year of state indicator data and the state board’s specified assistance and intervention criteria.

Literacy Grant Program Reporting ​

SB 133 changes the reporting rules for the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists Grant Program and its funding increases. It updates existing required reports and adds new reporting requirements for the program.

Key takeaways

• The bill revises existing reporting requirements for the Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists Grant Program.
• The bill also changes reporting requirements related to the program’s funding augmentations.
• The bill requires additional reports about the program, as specified.

Golden State Pathways Program Timelines ​

This part extends the time available to spend technical-assistance funds under the Golden State Pathways Program until June 30, 2029. It also delays the program evaluation deadline to June 30, 2030 and requires a 2028 public report on grant awards and funded activities.

Key takeaways

• Funds set aside to contract with up to 10 local educational agencies for technical assistance may be committed and spent through June 30, 2029.
• The bill extends the spending period for this existing appropriation.
• The independent evaluation of the program may now be completed as late as June 30, 2030.
• By June 30, 2028, the department must report to the Legislature, Department of Finance, and Governor on the grant-award process, each recipient, each award amount, and the activities supported by grant funds.

CalNAS Grants and Technical Assistance ​

SB 133 updates the California New Americans in Schools program, which funds services for newcomer students, English learners, and immigrant families. It changes how grant awards are prioritized, defines key terms, and directs $10 million to a statewide technical assistance center run by a local educational agency or consortium. The center may use a limited share of its funding to hire qualified nonprofits, with state approval and oversight.

Key takeaways

• The bill revises the factors used to prioritize CalNAS grant awards.
• The bill adds definitions for “immigrant families” and “newcomer pupils.”
• The bill requires $10 million of CalNAS funding to support a statewide technical assistance center operated by a local educational agency or consortium of local educational agencies.
• The technical assistance center must provide support for implementation of the CalNAS program.
• With approval and oversight from the State Department of Education, the center may use up to 10% of its allocation to subcontract with qualified nonprofit organizations.
• The bill changes the authorized use of an existing appropriation.

Dream Resource Center Grants ​

SB 133 changes how the Department of Education ranks applications for Dream Resource Center Grant Program funding. The program supports high school students, including undocumented students, with specified resources. The bill revises the tiered point system used to prioritize grant applicants.

Key takeaways

• The bill updates the point system used to rank Dream Resource Center Grant Program applications.
• The revised system affects which applicants receive priority for grant funding.
• The program continues to serve students in grades 9 through 12, including undocumented students.
• The Department of Education will use the revised prioritization system when awarding grants.

Special Education Teacher Grants ​

SB 133 narrows the special education credentials that qualify students for certain Golden State Teacher Grants. To receive these grants, students must be preparing for a preliminary special education credential rather than any special education credential.

Key takeaways

• The bill limits eligibility for these Golden State Teacher Grants to students pursuing a preliminary special education credential.
• This change applies to the federally funded grants of up to $20,000 for eligible students who commit to work at priority schools or California preschool programs.
• It also applies to the up to $10,000 grants for eligible California residents attending specified private postsecondary institutions.
• The bill does not change the stated work commitment or the grant amounts.

Oakland Military Institute Agreement ​

SB 133 updates who the Adjutant General may partner with for the Oakland Military Institute. Instead of entering an agreement with the City of Oakland and a school district, the Adjutant General may enter an agreement with the Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy, a California charter school.

Key takeaways

• The bill changes the authorized partner for an Oakland Military Institute cooperative agreement.
• The Adjutant General may enter an agreement with the Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy.
• The academy is identified as a California charter school.
• The bill replaces the prior authorization involving the City of Oakland and a school district.

Supporting Inclusive Practices Funding ​

For 2026–27, the bill redirects the $30 million Supporting Inclusive Practices appropriation so it is no longer required to be split equally between the Riverside and El Dorado county offices of education. The Department of Education must allocate the money to the El Dorado County Office of Education, unless other legislation directs a different allocation.

Key takeaways

• The bill changes the allocation rules for an existing $30 million General Fund appropriation for the Supporting Inclusive Practices project.
• The Riverside County Office of Education is no longer guaranteed half of the funding.
• The El Dorado County Office of Education is the designated recipient unless other legislation provides for a different allocation.
• Because it revises the required distribution of an existing appropriation, the bill makes an appropriation.

Homeless Youth Education Grant Timeline ​

The bill gives local educational agencies one additional year to commit and spend two state funding amounts that support students experiencing homelessness: $46 million reappropriated in the 2026 Budget Act and $70 million for 2026–27. It also moves the required final report deadline back by one year.

Key takeaways

• The $46 million and $70 million funding amounts may be committed and spent through June 30, 2030, instead of June 30, 2029.
• The funding supports local educational agencies in identifying homeless children and youth and improving their educational outcomes.
• Recipient local educational agencies must submit their final reports by December 31, 2030, instead of December 31, 2029.
• Extending the time to use the existing appropriations constitutes an appropriation under the bill.