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California schools this week are receiving the second half of a $1.25 billion block grant from the state to support their move to the Common Core academic standards, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.

Districts received the first half of the funds in September and the second half—about $622 million—today. LA Unified is receiving $54.25 million, a bit more than the first installment of $53.73 million.

Districts can decide for themselves how to use the funds — to train teachers, buy new materials, or purchase technology, all with the purpose of implementing the Common Core State Standards. The total amounts to some $200 per student, the state said.

These state-developed standards, which California and 45 other states have voluntarily adopted over the past few years, are designed to provide all students with the deeper learning, critical thinking and other skills needed for college and a career.

“California took a major step toward college and career readiness for all our students when we adopted the Common Core back in 2010,” said Torlakson, who urged the inclusion of Common Core funding in this year’s state budget. “The state made a significant down payment on that commitment with this first block grant—but we must do more.”

A district-by-district list of funding is available here.

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