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Panel weighs $25 million proposal to build a statewide literacy network to align fragmented programs
Summary
Lawmakers heard a proposal to create a statewide literacy network that would coordinate more than a dozen literacy initiatives and curate a statewide clearinghouse of evidence‑based resources.
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance considered the governor's proposal to fund a statewide literacy network intended to align and sustain existing literacy initiatives.
Hugo Solis Galena of the Department of Finance said the governor's budget proposes $25,000,000 in one‑time Proposition 98 General Fund to be available through the 2029–30 fiscal year for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, in consultation with the California Department of Education, to convene literacy leads, curate a clearinghouse of evidence‑based literacy resources and highlight best practices from high‑performing districts.
Stephanie Gregson, deputy executive director of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence, said the state has invested roughly $650,000,000 in literacy initiatives since 2019 but currently has at least 13 different literacy leads operating under different timelines and requirements. "The proposed $25,000,000 investment through 29–30 allows the opportunity to be intentional and focused on bringing all the literacy leads together toward the North Star of high quality instruction for every single student in California," Gregson said.
Bonnie Garcia, statewide literacy co‑director at the California Department of Education, said the statewide system of support currently coordinates multiple initiatives but does not provide a dedicated venue exclusively for literacy. The network, she said, would provide a "dedicated space for collaboration" and help districts access coherent supports aligned with the ELA/ELD framework, the English Learner Roadmap and the literacy roadmap.
Committee members pressed on sustainability. Several members asked how a one‑time appropriation could produce lasting coordination. Department of Finance staff responded that the administration expects the $25,000,000 to be spread over five years and that officials would re‑evaluate funding in the May revision. Gregson and Garcia told the committee that collaborative conversations with literacy leads envision a longer‑term commitment and that five years is a starting point to co‑design a shared "North Star" and build durable system capabilities.
Members also asked how the network would reach rural and other distressed districts. Panelists said the network would leverage county offices of education and the statewide system of support to connect literacy resources to districts; the network itself would not place literacy leads in individual districts but would facilitate connections and increase access to resource hubs, professional learning and direct technical assistance.
The committee held the issue open for further refinement ahead of the May revision.
Sources: Department of Finance presentation; remarks from California Collaborative for Educational Excellence and California Department of Education.
