Ransom Announces Over $4 Million More for San Joaquin County Career Education After Push to Fully Allocate State Funding

SACRAMENTO, CA - Career Technical Education programs across San Joaquin County will receive $4,192,246 more in state funding this year following Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom's push to ensure dollars approved for Career Technical Education (CTE) actually reach California classrooms. The new allocation comes after Assemblymember Ransom introduced AB 1590 and fiercely advocated for an immediate fix to a broken funding formula that has left more than $115 million in CTE funding unallocated statewide over the past five years. Under the new approach, the state is distributing the full $450 million available for CTE programs in 2026-27.

"Every dollar California approves for Career Technical Education that does not reach our classrooms is a disservice to our students, and frankly, this should have been fixed a long time ago. In Stockton, we saw hundreds of thousands of dollars disappear from one year to the next while students lost opportunities to explore careers and build skills for their futures. I am proud that we worked with the state to fix this and get these dollars where they belong, into our classrooms, expanding career pathways and opening more doors for students."

-Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom

The impact of the old formula has been felt directly in Stockton. Stockton Unified School District received $2.4 million in CTE funding in 2024 but just $1.75 million in 2025, a loss of around $650,000 in a single year. According to the district, that reduction forced it to scale back facility improvement projects and student participation in career organizations including SkillsUSA, Future Farmers of America and HOSA Future Health Professionals.

Those lost opportunities are especially significant in Stockton Unified, where 82 percent of students are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Under this year's full allocation, Stockton Unified will receive $3,595,337, an increase of $1,847,677 compared with last year.

"When we invest in Career Technical Education, we are directly investing in the future of our students and the success of our regional economy," said San Joaquin County Superintendent Troy Brown. "Fully allocated, consistent funding allows our school districts to build robust, high-quality career pathways by improving equipment, expanding industry-aligned credentials, and ensuring every student gains the hands-on skills and experience needed to thrive. We are grateful for Assemblymember Ransom's advocacy to ensure these funds reach our schools and support students throughout San Joaquin County."

San Joaquin County CTEIG Funding Increases

• Tracy Joint Unified: $1,119,963 to $1,246,287, an increase of $126,324
• Stockton Unified: $1,747,660 to $3,595,337, an increase of $1,847,677
• Lammersville Joint Unified: $428,849 to $578,368, an increase of $149,519
• Lincoln Unified: $518,873 to $729,878, an increase of $211,005
• Lodi Unified: $2,016,209 to $3,112,254, an increase of $1,096,045
• Manteca Unified: $1,451,064 to $2,210,766, an increase of $759,702
• Venture Academy: $217,996 to $234,617, an increase of $16,621
• Escalon Unified: $196,561 to $212,257, an increase of $15,696
• Ripon Unified: $247,019 to $366,676, an increase of $119,657