The California Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance convened on April 29, 2025, to discuss a significant proposal aimed at enhancing literacy and mathematics education across the state. The meeting focused on a $500 million initiative from the governor's budget to expand literacy coaches and introduce a new math coaches program.

Hugo Solis Galena from the Department of Finance presented the proposal, which allocates $235 million for local educational agencies to develop school literacy programs, hire literacy coaches, and implement targeted interventions for students needing additional support. Additionally, $15 million is earmarked for training and credentialing educators as literacy coaches and specialists, including bilingual specialists.

The math coaches program is set to receive $250 million, aimed at supporting math coaching and specialists in eligible schools. This funding will also facilitate training for educators to align their instruction with the newly adopted 2023 math framework.

Dylan Hoxallettsi from the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of the proposals, particularly in light of California's historically low scores in math and reading. He noted that less than half of students score proficient or above on state tests, with economically disadvantaged students facing the greatest challenges. Hoxallettsi recommended modifications to ensure that funds are utilized effectively, including setting minimum grant amounts and making eligibility automatic for smaller districts to reduce administrative burdens.

Cheryl Cotton, Deputy Superintendent at the California Department of Education, strongly supported the proposal, highlighting the positive impact of existing literacy initiatives on student achievement. She emphasized the need for additional funding to expand access to resources and improve instruction quality in both literacy and mathematics.

The discussion also touched on the challenges of hiring qualified coaches and specialists, with committee members questioning whether current funding levels are sufficient to ensure that every school has access to a literacy coach. While the funding formula provides a minimum grant amount for eligible school sites, concerns remain about the actual placement of coaches in schools.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the proposals and consider the recommendations made by the LAO to enhance the effectiveness of the funding initiatives. The outcome of this discussion will play a crucial role in shaping the future of literacy and math education in California, aiming to improve student outcomes and address existing achievement gaps.