Governor Schwarzenegger Reinvigorates Programs to Prepare California Students for a 21st Century Economy

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Education Related News
Governor Schwarzenegger Reinvigorates Programs to Prepare California Students for a 21st Century Economy
By CAlifornia Office of the Governor
Aug 8, 2006, 12:06

08/07/2006 GAAS:512:06 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version

Governor Schwarzenegger Reinvigorates Programs to Prepare California Students for a 21st Century Economy

Recognizing that students need the skills and classes that will open up doors and lead them to success, Governor Schwarzenegger has restored the state’s investment in career technical education. Career technical education programs, which have been long under-funded, give students vocational skills in high-paying fields while providing them with pathways to post-secondary education.

“Career technical education is a first-class ticket to a great career in the California economy,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “These programs will train the next generation of nurses, computer technicians, auto mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, chefs and fashion designers.”

Governor Schwarzenegger toured classes at Los Angeles Trade Tech College, where students are learning the practical, hands-on skills necessary to pursue careers in culinary arts, architecture and fashion design. Following the tour, the Governor participated in a roundtable discussion with students and faculty about the importance of continuing to invest in programs that help students prepare for the work force as well as higher education.

The Governor’s 2005-06 budget included $20 million to expand and improve career technical education courses offered at high schools, regional occupational centers and programs, and the California Community Colleges.

The current budget invests $100 million to expand career technical education, including:

$80 million for equipment and facility improvements for programs in middle schools, high schools and community colleges.
$20 million in funding grants for community colleges to work with high schools to strengthen their programs.

The Governor’s spending plan fully-funds education with more than $55.1 billion. This reflects an increase of $8.1 billion, a more than 17 percent overall funding increase from 2004-05. In addition, the current budget increases per student spending to a record $11,264 - an increase of $516 from last year.

Education Budget Highlights:

Pre-K

· $100 million for the Governor’s targeted preschool initiative to expand early education opportunities to children across the state. $50 million of this is one-time funding that will be used to build and improve preschool facilities.

K-12

$32.9 million increase to fund charter schools; $20 million for career technical education; $645 million to fund physical education, arts and music programs (includes $500 million in one-time funding for supplies and equipment).
$200 million to add 7-12^th grade school counselors to lower counselor-to-student ratios.
$428 million in additional funds to make after school programs available to elementary and middle school students through Proposition 49 funding.
$5.1 million to add two administrations of the California High School Exit Exam, and $75.1 million for supplemental instruction to help students pass.

Higher Education

Allocates $19.1 billion from all fund sources to higher education.
Eliminates tuition and fee increases at UC and CSU for the upcoming school year, and provides funding for 2.5 percent enrollment growth.
Increases CSU funding by 5 percent and UC funding by 5.7 percent above 2005-06 levels.
Increases funding to California Community Colleges by over $700 million from a combination of one-time and ongoing funding, and reduces student fees from $26 to $20 per unit, effective in the spring 2007 semester.

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