Staff
Sara Cortez
(916) 319-8348
Special Education, Preschool, Child Nutrition, and Facilities
Kenneth Kapphahn
(916) 319-8339
Proposition 98, School District Budgets, School Transportation
Lisa Qing
(916) 319-8306
California Community Colleges
Michael Alferes
(916) 319-8338
Local Control Funding Formula, Charter Schools, Alternative Schools, High School Career Technical Education
Ian Klein
(916) 319-8336
University of California; College of the Law, San Francisco; California State Library
Natalie Gonzalez
(916) 319-8320
California State University, Student Financial Aid
Dylan Hawksworth-Lutzow
(916) 319-8308
Child Care, Expanded Learning, Teachers, and Education Technology
Edgar Cabral
(916) 319-8343
Deputy Legislative Analyst: K-12 Education
Jennifer Pacella
(916) 319-8332
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Higher Education


Publications

Education

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.



Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: College of the Law, San Francisco

March 10, 2025 - This brief analyzes the Governor’s budget proposals for College of the Law, San Francisco (CLSF). In 2025‑26, CLSF would receive $101 million in total core funding, reflecting a $15 million (17 percent) increase from 2024‑25. Both of CLSF’s main sources of core funding would increase, with tuition revenue projected to increase $4.3 million (7.8 percent) and state General Fund proposed to increase $11 million (40 percent).


Post

The 2025-26 Budget: California State Library

March 7, 2025 - In this post, we provide background on the State Library and analyze the Governor's budget proposals.


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: Educator Workforce

March 7, 2025 - In this brief, we assess the Governor’s 2025-26 educator workforce proposals and provide associated recommendations.


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

March 5, 2025 - This brief provides a short summary of the Governor’s proposed budget for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) before addressing four issues that warrant legislative oversight: (1) quality incentives as part of service provider rate reform, (2) the Master Plan for Developmental Services, (3) DDS’s ongoing information technology project, and (4) the phaseout of subminimum wage employment.


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: California Community Colleges

March 5, 2025 - This brief analyzes the Governor’s budget proposals for the California Community Colleges. It covers apportionments, enrollment growth, and various other ongoing and one-time proposals.


Handout

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 98 Guarantee and K-12 Spending Plan

March 5, 2025 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: School Nutrition

March 4, 2025 - This brief provides an overview and analysis of the Governor’s proposals for school nutrition.


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: California Student Aid Commission

February 28, 2025 - In this brief, we provide an update on Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship cost estimates, as well as analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for California College of the Arts and California Student Aid Commission’s state operations.


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: University of California

February 27, 2025 - In this brief, we analyze the state’s budget plan relating to UC’s core operations and enrollment.


Handout

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 98 Guarantee and K-12 Spending Plan

February 27, 2025 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education


Post

The 2025-26 Budget: Transitional Kindergarten Multilingual Learner Screeners

February 26, 2025 - In this post, we provide background on the state’s English learner identification process, describe and assess the Governor’s proposal to provide $10 million for a multilingual learner screener in transitional kindergarten, and provide our recommendations to the Legislature.


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: California State University

February 25, 2025 - This brief analyzes the state’s budget plan relating to CSU’s core operations and enrollment, as well as the Governor’s proposal to increase salaries for the Capital Fellows program.


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: Expanded Learning Opportunities Program

February 20, 2025 - In this brief, we assess the Governor’s 2025-26 proposal for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program and provide associated recommendations.


Handout

Child Care Funding Rates and Transition to an Alternative Methodology

February 19, 2025 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 On Human Services and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 On Education Finance


Brief

The 2025-26 Budget: Transitional Kindergarten

February 18, 2025 - This brief provides an overview and analysis of the Governor’s proposals for transitional kindergarten.