California public school enrollment drops by 75K students; 7x greater than expected

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- California's public schools are facing another setback as new data shows enrollment has fallen far more sharply than expected.

The California Department of Education reports nearly 75,000 fewer students enrolled in public schools this school year.

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That decline is seven times larger than state officials initially projected and marks the largest drop in enrollment since the pandemic.

Education officials attribute the decline to lower birth rates and fewer immigrants living in the state.

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The California Department of Finance had predicted a decrease of about 10,000 students in October.

The larger-than-expected drop could have significant consequences for public schools, as state funding is tied to student enrollment.