ANNUAL ENROLLMENT DATA released by the state Dept. of Education in May shows that investing in critical programs for students that our union has fought for over the years has helped slow overall school enrollment decline.

The most significant trend in the 2024–25 data reflects an increased demand for specific education initiatives, such as Transitional Kindergarten (TK), Dual Language Immersion (DLI) and Expanded Learning programs.

“The dramatic growth in TK shows that providing rigorous and quality programs can be key to bringing more families back to our schools,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. He added that expansion of DLI programs is another strategy “to drive future enrollment growth by providing school programs that are in high demand from California’s
families.”

In the 2024–25 school year, overall student enrollment declined by 0.54% compared to the year prior, representing a slowing of declining school enrollment. Though this change is minimal, the difference between current year enrollment and pre-pandemic enrollment remains significant.

Even as overall enrollment has fallen, TK enrollment continues to boom, with a year-over-year increase of 17.2%. The number of LEAs offering TK at school sites has increased to 85%, and as TK expansion creates more spaces in state preschool, enrollment continues to rise.

DLI programs have shown significant growth statewide: As of 2023–24, there were 1,036 DLI programs in California, a 39% increase from 747 DLI programs in 2018–19.

Recent local data shows that the expansion of Expanded Learning programs, which include before- and after-school, summer, and intersession learning programs, mirrors trends in TK and DLI expansion: As the number of seats increases, they are filled. In Elk Grove Unified, broadened access to Expanded Learning programs has increased program enrollment from 3,300 to 12,000 — a 264% increase.

These data points offer insights into in-demand educational initiatives and a potential path to reversing long-term school enrollment trends.