California has eliminated $5.5 million in annual funding for the California Online Media Program for Access and Student Success (COMPASS), an online database providing K-12 schools and public libraries with access to educational resources like the Encyclopedia Britannica, New York Times, National Geographic Kids, and PBS videos. The funding will end on July 1, 2027, leaving schools without the program unless alternative funding is secured.
COMPASS, launched in 2018, has been used by nearly 10,000 public schools and public libraries, with nearly 1 billion hits since its inception. The program offers multilingual resources and is free for participating institutions, saving them from subscription costs.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed the budget on June 27, which included the cut as part of balancing a $12 billion deficit. The budget also allocated billions in new funding for K-12 schools, though the governor’s office did not specify whether any of that money would cover COMPASS.
Greg Lucas, California State Librarian, expressed surprise at the last-minute cut, stating that it was made without notice or policy discussion. He warned that if the program ends, California will be the only state without such a service, at a time when Assembly Bill 873 (2023) requires schools to incorporate media literacy standards into their curricula.
Supporters of the program argue that COMPASS is essential for research, homework, and digital literacy, particularly as schools transition to more online learning. Critics of the cut say it will disproportionately affect low-income students who rely on free access to these resources.
The California State Library oversees the program, and its elimination could force schools to seek alternative funding or reduce access to vetted educational materials.