LEGISLATION & POLICY

Create CA’s 2026 Advocacy & Legislative Agenda

Create CA envisions a future in which every student has access to a high-quality, standards-based, and culturally responsive arts education. To realize that vision, state and local policies must prioritize access to arts education, support the effective implementation of Proposition 28, strengthen the educator workforce, and support reliable data to measure access, alongside broader school investments that foster learning, creativity, and belonging. This agenda outlines Create CA’s 2026 state advocacy and legislative priorities to expand equitable access to arts education for all students

Support Effective, Equitable, and Transparent Implementation of Prop 28

Create CA supports efforts to ensure the funds expand arts education for all students. 

Policy Goal: Strengthen implementation of Proposition 28 so that the Arts and Music in Schools Act fulfills its promise of expanding equitable access to arts  education for every student in California.

Proposition 28 provides approximately $1 billion annually to expand arts education in California’s public schools. Districts are using these funds to hire arts educators, expand programs, and increase instructional time. But implementation has been uneven.

Support in Concept –  AB 2440 (Muratsuchi) Arts and Music in Schools—Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act The bill seeks to strengthen the implementation of Proposition 28.  Create CA supports this bill in concept and is working to ensure it addresses key Proposition 28 implementation issues, including clarifying the “supplement, not supplant” requirement, ensuring funds support standards-based arts education programs, and improving data reporting and transparency.

Support –  Increase California Department of Education implementation capacity for Proposition 28
Support additional positions at the California Department of Education to help districts navigate Prop 28 planning, compliance, technical assistance, and effective implementation.

Support a Robust, Accessible, and Diverse Arts Education Teacher Pipeline

Create CA supports policies and investments that lower barriers and strengthen pathways for arts education teachers. 

Policy Goal: Strengthen and diversify the arts educator pipeline so all students have access to well-prepared, supported arts education teachers and high-quality arts instruction.

Prop 28 offers California a historic chance to expand arts education at scale, but its promise depends on whether schools can hire enough qualified arts teachers to meet the moment. For Create CA, this means pairing effective Prop 28 implementation with stronger strategies and investments to recruit, prepare, support,  and retain arts educators so that schools can deliver real, equitable access to arts education for all students. 

Support – AB 1904 (Gipson, D)  Teachers: credentialed educator apprenticeship programs. 

This bill would create a credentialed educator apprenticeship pathway to help address California’s teacher shortage and diversify the educator workforce by reducing the financial barriers to becoming a teacher. The bill would support a compensated, earn-and-learn model that combines paid on-the-job training, aligned coursework, sustained classroom experience, and structured mentoring, allowing candidates to complete their preparation while earning a living wage. 

Support – Governor Newsom’s proposal to invest an additional $250 million in teacher residency programs

This investment would expand a proven teacher-preparation pathway that places candidates in a full-year public school classroom alongside an experienced mentor. At the same time, they complete credential coursework through a state-approved college or university partner. Residency programs typically provide stipends and other financial supports, and graduates are often better prepared, more likely to stay in the profession, and more reflective of the students they serve.

Support – An increase of $100 million in funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant program (GSTG)

a California grant that supports candidates in state-approved teacher credential preparation programs working toward a preliminary teaching credential. GSTG helps remove major financial barriers for aspiring educators who might otherwise be unable to enter the profession. While we appreciate the reappropriation of $14.4 million to extend the program beyond 2026, additional funding is needed to sustain and expand its impact in attracting and retaining qualified teachers in high-needs schools.

Support – Designating Visual and Performing Arts as a qualified teacher shortage area

To help address the shortage of arts educators and meet growing demand, Create CA urges the California Department of Education and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to designate Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) as a teacher shortage area. This designation would help aspiring VAPA educators access targeted financial aid and support school districts in establishing VAPA teacher residency programs.

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