Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)

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 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 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

October 31, 2019

Shorter, clearer (but maybe not more transparent) school accountability plan coming

The state board will deliver an LCAP template that will be easier to read, but it probably still won't be easy to follow the money.

John Fensterwald

October 2, 2019

LA Unified approves spending plan despite complaint about serving high-needs students

The school board voted on an amended version of the spending plan, which was updated after a complaint was brought against the district.

Michael Burke

July 30, 2019

LA Unified’s spending and accountability plan should be rejected and rewritten, says advocates’ complaint

Public Advocates argues the district doesn’t show how $1.2 billion in extra funding will benefit English learners and low-income students.

John Fensterwald

January 9, 2019

School districts will be required to verify they’re fixing California’s lowest-performing schools

The Every Student Succeeds Act requires states to identify and improve student achievement in the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools. Districts with those schools will explain how in a new section of their Local Control and Accountability Plans.

John Fensterwald