California is set to eliminate funding for the Compass program, a widely used online database of research and curriculum materials for public schools, following approval of the state's latest budget by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The $5.5 million cut, effective July 1, 2027, will strip essential research resources from school libraries, impacting millions of students.
The Compass program, launched in 2018, provides access to a vast array of online content, including Encyclopedia Britannica, National Geographic, PBS videos, and scientific journals, all vetted by teachers and librarians. The program has seen nearly 1 billion hits since its inception, primarily from K-12 schools, but also available through public libraries.
State Library officials expressed surprise and concern over the decision. "We had no idea this was coming," said Greg Lucas, head of the California State Library, noting the program's significant impact on students' ability to access reliable information for class projects and homework. He added that the materials provided are free from algorithmic manipulation and advertising, offering a safer and more focused learning environment compared to general internet searches.
Educators have described the loss of Compass as a severe blow. "Losing Compass is catastrophic for the state of California," stated Kate MacMillan, library services coordinator for Napa Valley Unified. "This service is a lifeline. I can’t believe the legislature would let this happen."
While earlier drafts of the state's $351.7 billion budget included funding for Compass, the final version redirected those funds. Approximately $5 million has been allocated for a new dyslexia screener, and $60,000 for California Educators Together, a web-based lesson-sharing platform. The budget also includes a delay of $3.9 billion in K-12 and community college funding under Proposition 98, though many classroom programs remain intact.
A spokesperson for the California Department of Finance clarified that the cut to the Compass program was not an original proposal from the Governor's office, though he did sign the final budget containing the provision. The approved budget also allocates $40 million for election-related expenses, including hiring additional election workers and upgrading ballot-processing equipment.