California’s School Funding System Is Breaking at Both Ends
Cuts. Instability. A system under strain.
Raise the Base to $20,000 per student
What Is Raise the Base?
Raise the Base is about strengthening the foundation of California’s school funding system.
It means increasing base funding to at least $20,000 per student
the level closer to what it actually costs to provide a quality education.
Every student depends on this funding for the essentials:
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teachers and staff
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classroom instruction
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safe, well-maintained campuses
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core academic programs
A strong base = a strong foundation for every student.
The Problem
California’s system is breaking at both ends.
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Districts that depend more heavily on base funding are cutting staff and programs just to remain financially solvent
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All districts serve students with needs—but some serve far higher concentrations, increasing costs significantly
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Rising costs and declining enrollment are putting pressure on every school system
Different districts. Same result.
The Reality
The Cost of Education Has Increased Significantly
2018 Estimate
$16,890
Today (Adjusted)
$20,000 – $22,000+
Inflation-adjusted estimate
This is the gap between funding and reality
The last comprehensive study was conducted in 2018. Since then, inflation and rising costs have significantly increased the real cost of education.
Facts
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Students with greater needs require more resources
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Higher funding reflects higher costs—not excess
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Even higher-funded districts are still struggling to keep pace with rising costs
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Cost-of-living increases are outpacing funding adjustments
The real cost today is higher — and funding has not kept pace
This is a structural funding problem
Equity Matters
Students with greater needs require more support.
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a strong base for every student
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additional funding where needed
Equity works best when it builds on a strong foundation.
Raise the Base
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Increase funding to at least $20,000 per student
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Sustain core operations
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Protect programs and staffing
Fund Student Needs
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Preserve targeted support
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Recognize higher costs
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Strengthen equity
What Needs to Happen
These are complementary solutions,
not competing priorities.
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Increase the LCFF base grant
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Direct more Proposition 98 funding toward ongoing base increases
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Increase the state’s share of special education costs
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Reduce funding volatility tied to attendance
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Strengthen per-student investment as enrollment declines
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Use the “declining enrollment dividend” to stabilize and strengthen base funding
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Expand overall investment in education to reflect California’s economic capacity
Strong Schools Start With a Strong Foundation
If we don’t fix the base, districts will continue to face instability, cuts, and difficult decisions that impact students.