State policy and budgetary decisions have a direct impact on students, families, and education systems. Yet far too often, the perspectives of Black and Brown families, families of multilingual learners, and families of students with disabilities are left out of key conversations. This is why Innovate seeks to inform and educate parent leaders about the legislative and budget cycle, engage them in advocacy opportunities, and uplift their priorities by supporting proposed legislation and funding. Below are the proposed California legislative and budget priorities we’ve been advocating for at the state level.
- Re-invest in the Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program–Evidence shows teachers are the most critical factors for ensuring students can succeed. The Golden State Teacher Grant Program is an effective program that pays for the credentialing costs of teachers to reduce the financial burden that might prevent them from pursuing the profession or working in schools that are facing staffing challenges. Innovate is joining our partners at Edvoice in urging the legislature to re-invest $100 million in GSTG in the 2026-27 state budget to ensure 10,000 newly credentialed teachers will teach in high-need schools, supporting over 200,000 students. Submit a letter to support the GSTG!
- Re-invest in the Diverse Education Leaders Pipeline Initiative (DELPI) Grant Program, to support local education agencies across the state to maintain, deepen, and scale their efforts to expand pathways for educators from diverse backgrounds to become school administrators. This $10 million grant program provides one-time grants to local education agencies (LEAs), in partnership with institutions of higher education (IHEs) and non-profit educational service providers (NESPs), of up to $30,000 per administrator candidate to support cost-free credentialing for over 300 diverse and culturally responsive school administrators. Sign on to support DELPI.
- Support SB 1067 (Weber Pierson), which would establish universal screening for math difficulties among all K-2 students in California. Sign a petition to support SB 1067.
- Support AB 2117 (Alvarez), which seeks to implement Governor Newsom’s proposal to restructure California’s K-12 governance to ensure our education system is more effective, accountable, and equitable.
- Support AB 2430 (Muratsuchi), in order to strengthen California’s afterschool and expanded learning investment by: 1. expanding access for older youth; 2. updating funding to protect program quality; and 3. increasing transparency so families and lawmakers can see what’s working.
Our team will continue to engage in discussions with our base of parent leaders across the state to ensure their perspectives and priorities are uplifted in these legislative discussions throughout this legislative and budget cycle.