House budget includes $60.8M literacy down payment and expanded early-learning supports

House presenters told appropriations subcommittees the FY2027 package includes a major down payment on literacy and targeted K-12 supports.

"This budget includes several new educational investments, particularly in the early grades," the chair said, describing a $60.8 million allocation tied to literacy and multiple complementary items: funding for reading coaches, a $15,000 one-time equipment payment per district for vision and hearing screening, expanded rising pre-K seats and 1,300 new extended-day spots. The Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) was allocated funds to add pre-K classes and paid leave for pre-K lead and assistant teachers.

Why it matters: the investments are targeted at improving reading proficiency in kindergarten through third grade and to expand supports—coaches, screenings, transportation and social workers—meant to help districts with chronic absenteeism and monitoring of fiscal health.

Details and scope: the House package includes $31.2 million in base salary funds to help hire literacy coaches, $18.4 million for school-based literacy coaches and $5.5 million to design professional development for literacy coaches and elementary teachers. The proposal also funds school social workers ($5,000,000 targeted to districts without social workers), $41.1 million for pupil transportation (an 11% increase), and $9.7 million for DECAL to expand extended-day programs and add pre-K classes.

Next steps: subcommittees voted to approve these items by voice vote; the measures will be considered in concurrence with the rest of the House budget and must be reconciled with the Senate and signed by the governor.