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Governor proposes $100 million to expand dual enrollment; LAO urges caution
Summary
The governor's budget would add $100 million one‑time to the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, prioritize high‑need LEAs, add eligibility for regional occupational centers and provide $50,000 for justice‑involved youth programs; the LAO questioned whether one‑time funding would address implementation barriers and urged reconsideration.
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the governor's proposal to invest $100 million one‑time from Proposition 98 in the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program to expand high‑school access to college‑level courses.
Melody Jimenez of the Department of Finance said the funding would extend two primary program lines—middle/early college high schools and College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP)—and make several programmatic adjustments, including clarifying that regional occupational centers are eligible, awarding an additional $50,000 to LEAs that expand dual enrollment for justice‑involved youth, prioritizing LEAs with above‑average unduplicated pupil counts and allowing grant funds for teacher professional development. “The governor's budget builds on this prior investment by including an additional $100,000,000 one‑time Proposition 98 general fund available through 06/30/2029 to support more grants to LEAs,” Jimenez said.
The Department of Education, speaking for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, supported the proposal but recommended allocating $10 million of the $100 million to CDE to provide statewide technical assistance and to strengthen district‑college partnerships. “We would provide that technical assistance with that $10,000,000 in partnership with the community colleges,” Kimberly Rosenberger said.
The Legislative Analyst's Office cautioned the committee that one‑time funding may not remove the structural barriers schools face in implementing dual enrollment, and recommended rejecting the $100 million allocation. LAO staff also highlighted rapid recent growth in CCAP participation and questioned whether the proposal clearly addressed fiscal and operational obstacles to expanded implementation.
Members asked how the $100 million would be split across CCAP cohorts and early/middle college models and sought detail on the administration's assumptions. Officials said the additional dollars would build on an existing $200 million base and that the $10 million technical assistance set‑aside would aim to increase participation by clarifying program structure and strengthening partnerships.
Public commenters representing districts and advocacy coalitions urged the subcommittee to protect the investment and supported setting aside administration funds to ensure equitable access and sustainability. The panel did not take formal action on the proposal during the hearing; DOF and CDE agreed to provide additional allocation details on request.
The committee will review any follow‑up materials from DOF, CDE and LAO before further deliberations.
