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SACRAMENTO — More than 3,400 California schools will finally get their bonuses for improving student test scores, state education officials announced Monday. 

The bonuses, which were held up nearly seven months by budget troubles, are part of the Governor’s Performance Awards program. 

Many school officials and parents said they had almost written off last year’s bonuses, which were expected in January or February. 

Martha Roten, principal at Noralto Elementary School in Sacramento, said her school has already spent the award money on instructional supplies. Other schools have pushed back purchases until the money comes through. 

Irma Marquez, principal at Peter Burnett Elementary School in Sacramento, said the school’s parents and students have been “eagerly awaiting” the money, which will go toward upgrading the school’s computer lab and installing security cameras. 

“We know it’s coming so we keep saying to the kids that we are going to improve their school as soon as the money gets here,” Marquez said. “We know how we’re going to use it, but we can’t move forward until it gets here.” 

The Governor’s Performance Awards go to schools that reached their Academic Performance Index targets during the 2001 administration of state tests. School targets are set at a 5 percent growth over the previous year. 

About 47 percent of California schools hit their targets in 2001. 

“Public schools, students, teachers and parents have never worked harder to improve, and their efforts are paying off,” said Secretary for Education Kerri Mazzoni Monday. 

The first installment of the award, about $67.3 million, will be distributed to 3,428 schools, Mazzoni said. The second part, about $77 million, is tied in with next year’s budget, which is stuck in the Assembly.