Newsom increases special education funding in California

3 min read

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a budget that boosts California special education spending by $2.4 billion, a 43% increase over last year, raising per-pupil special education funding to a record $1,340 to cover literacy aides, behavioral health assistance and other services. The package also includes $80 million in district reimbursements, $30 million for the Supporting Inclusive Practices Project, $25 million for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and $10 million for alternative diploma pathways. The increase responds to a rise in documented disabilities to 15% of students and coincides with low state test scores and a shift of some duties to an appointed education commissioner.

California committed $2.4 billion to special education in 2024-25