California details back-to-school investments including universal meals and expanded early education

As students across California return to school, Governor Gavin Newsom has outlined ten state initiatives aimed at supporting children and easing financial burdens for families.

California’s Universal Meals Program provides all public TK-12 students with two free meals per school day. The program was expanded through recent legislation signed by Governor Newsom, which also seeks to increase enrollment in food assistance programs and promote access to healthy, locally grown foods. In addition, the state participates in the federal SUN Bucks food program to ensure low-income children have adequate nutrition during summer months.

The California Farm to School initiative, led by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, works alongside the universal meals effort. It focuses on sourcing local and nutritious foods for school meals.

Universal Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is now fully implemented statewide. All four-year-olds are eligible for a year of free pre-kindergarten education, fulfilling a key promise from Governor Newsom. This expansion will provide access to pre-kindergarten for more than 300,000 additional children compared to the 2021-22 school year.

Before-school, after-school, and summer programs are available at no cost for TK-6 students. These offerings include enrichment activities and high-impact tutoring designed to support working families and student achievement.

Through the CalKIDS program, college savings accounts have been established for 3.4 million low-income public school students statewide. Each account includes an initial investment ranging from $100 to $1,500. The program has invested $1.9 billion into these accounts for both school-age children and newborns born on or after July 1, 2022.

To improve literacy outcomes, $500 million has been allocated over two years for Literacy Coaches in high-needs schools; an additional $215 million was included in the most recent budget for TK-12 literacy coaching efforts.

All kindergarten through second-grade students will be screened annually for reading difficulties such as dyslexia starting this year.

A new Literacy Roadmap is being introduced as part of the Golden State Literacy Plan. Elementary educators will use evidence-based strategies during dedicated literacy blocks to enhance instruction.

More than $4 billion has been invested recently in teacher recruitment and retention initiatives aimed at ensuring high-quality instruction throughout California’s schools.

The Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant totals $7.2 billion and supports local educational agencies as they address academic setbacks caused by the pandemic—including declines in English Language Arts test scores—by providing targeted resources focused on both academic progress and emotional well-being.

Additionally, California is funding nearly 2,500 community schools that coordinate health care, mental health services, social support programs, family engagement efforts, and quality teaching—especially targeting areas with significant need—to help remove barriers that can hinder student success.

"Every student gets TWO free meals," Governor Newsom said about the Universal Meals Program. "California was the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for schoolchildren, providing all public TK-12 students access to two free meals per school day."

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom commented on nutrition improvements: "California Farm to School works in tandem with universal school meals to ensure California students have access to two free school meals that are locally-sourced, delicious, and nutritious."

On early childhood education access: "Beginning this school year, universal TK will be fully implemented...Universal TK provides a strong foundation for literacy for all students."

Governor Newsom highlighted support outside regular hours: "The Governor’s budget provides before, after, and summer school instruction and enrichment...This is critical for working families and student success."

Regarding college savings: "All families of low-income public school students – 3.4 million across the state – can now access college savings accounts created in their children’s names..."

On literacy investments: "The Governor has invested a total of $500 million for Literacy Coaches...funding 818 of the state’s highest needs schools..."

About screening young learners: "Beginning this school year, California’s 1.2 million kindergarten, first-, and second-grade students will be annually screened..."

In reference to comprehensive literacy plans: "...elementary grades educators will now have literacy blocks...to support comprehensive literacy instruction."

On educator quality: "...the state has invested more than $4 billion in recent years to recruit and retain quality educators."

Addressing learning loss recovery: "...allocated a total of $7.2 billion...to support Local Educational Agencies (LEA) in addressing academic and emotional impacts of the pandemic..."

Finally on community schools: "Community schools bring together schools...to provide health care..., mental health..., social services alongside quality teaching.... The state is funding nearly 2,500 community schools..."