California Schools: The Quiet Battle for Better Funding

Education is the state’s biggest budget item, costing around 91 billion dollars for K‑12 and another 60 billion from local and federal sources. These funds shape the future of nearly six million students, and they also determine California’s economic health. Because of this, education is a top priority for voters and lawmakers alike. The current governor’s plan cuts the mandatory school budget by several billion, promising to add the money later. School leaders and teachers’ unions have pushed back hard, demanding a larger share of state revenue. A key part of the debate is whether the governor should control all educational decisions or keep a separate state superintendent. If the governor takes full control, the next leader would become the de facto head of the country’s largest public school system.

Despite the stakes, top candidates for governor rarely discuss education. They trade insults and talk about gas prices or housing, leaving a gap in the conversation. Only one candidate, San Jose mayor Matt Mahan—who once taught—has mentioned schools in debates. Moderators also avoid asking about education, letting the topic slip. New research from Stanford shows California’s schools are falling behind. Reading scores have dropped in 83 % of districts, and math scores have slipped in 70 %. California is among the worst performers, with only eight states and Washington, D. C. seeing bigger declines in reading. The New York Times created a website to show district‑by‑district results: Los Angeles made small gains, Oakland lost in both subjects, and San Diego gained in math but fell in reading. After years of ignoring weak foundations, the state has finally adopted phonics instruction for reading and is working on math diagnosis laws. The next governor must build on these steps to bring schools back to their former strength. Voters need clear plans from candidates about how they will improve education.

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