Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)

May 27, 2022

Families of English learners must be allowed to engage and lead in district budgeting

California's budgeting framework is designed to engage communities in their aspirations and be adaptable to local needs. But families of English learners are too often locked out of the process.

Eduardo R. Muñoz-Muñoz

October 14, 2021

Nearly half of money for high-needs students not getting to their schools, analysis finds

Research by the Public Policy Institute of California compares Local Control Funding Formula allocations to school-level spending.

John Fensterwald

June 18, 2021

State orders stricter county oversight of districts' spending for low-income kids, English learners

California Department of Education sides with faith-based organizations that challenged how the San Bernardino county office approved LCAPs.

John Fensterwald

June 9, 2021

Little action on building state website to track districts’ spending

Nearly a year after money was budgeted, the California Department of Education hasn't completed the contract needed to move forward.

John Fensterwald

April 26, 2021

California's school district accountability plans need more rigorous review by county leaders

In the absence of effective oversight, too many districts' local control and accountability plans, or LCAPs, focus more on compliance with the letter of the law than on improving outcomes for their students.

Steve Rees

February 9, 2021

Gov. Newsom calls for closing big ‘loophole’ in school funding for high-needs students

Districts have carried over unspent money intended for high-needs students to use however they want. The governor says the practice must end.

John Fensterwald

September 16, 2020

First big reform of California’s education funding law awaits governor’s signature

The bill, favored by student rights groups, would end a “loophole” allowing districts to freely use unspent money intended for “high-needs” students.

John Fensterwald

May 7, 2020

California school funding formula has a spending loophole; is a recession the time to fix it?

School districts argue budget cuts warrant spending flexibility; equity advocates argue high-needs students need resources they're entitled to.

John Fensterwald

April 24, 2020

California school districts get extra 5 months to pass local accountability plans

While pushing back the LCAP deadline, Newsom orders districts to report on distance learning and school closure expenses by July 1.

John Fensterwald

April 22, 2020

California school districts to get 5-month reprieve to adopt next year’s accountability plan

The governor is expected to postpone the LCAP; legislators will be asked to cancel the California School Dashboard for one year.

John Fensterwald

January 21, 2020

California governor joins those wanting to hold school districts more accountable for spending

A new website would let the public see how much any district is — or is not — spending on “high-needs” students.

John Fensterwald

January 10, 2020

LA Unified schools chief reflects on his district one year after strike

This week: We interview the LAUSD superintendent about the turbulent teachers' strike that shook the district and drew national attention one year ago.

EdSource staff

January 9, 2020

New efforts to make school spending in California more transparent 

State board makes it easier to follow the money; two bills would impose even stricter reporting requirements.

John Fensterwald

December 20, 2019

Care packages to first-gen college students; two views of a critical state audit

This week: We help deliver care packages to stressed-out CSU East Bay freshmen and get two views on a state audit critical of district spending on high-need students.

EdSource staff

December 12, 2019

Some ratings rise in 3rd year of California School Dashboard

Fewer districts will require help from county offices, but colors tell a bigger story; disparities among student groups persist.

John Fensterwald