Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)

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.

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.

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.

September 5, 2019

California can be a model for teacher-led change

Pomona Unified is rethinking professional learning in light of California’s Local Control Funding Formula.

Barnett Berry, Joseph Bishop and Lori Nazareno

August 13, 2019

We must disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline

Students who are suspended from school are less likely to graduate from high school and more likely to be arrested and incarcerated.

August 8, 2019

Smaller classes, more novice teachers: the 'tradeoff‘ for low-income California schools

A new study overcomes challenges from a lack of transparency to compare schools' spending under the Local Control Funding Formula.

July 31, 2019

Recognizing regional costs in school funding formula is both equitable and affordable

Current formula hurts children from low-income families in high-cost regions.

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.

July 2, 2019

How school districts can use limited resources strategically to enhance student success

Fresno Unified and San Diego Unified case studies show how districts can effectively target resources.

Joe McKown and Christina Baumgardner

April 26, 2019

Despite education reforms, foster students in California lag far behind on multiple measures

Some school districts emerge as models for serving foster youth, but others are doing little to target them with specific programs.

February 21, 2019

Support, strengthen education reforms in California, new report urges

Learning Policy Institute says schools need more funding, teachers need more support and the public needs more help understanding where the money goes.

January 23, 2019

Building a system of support for California students — from the ground up

Partnerships and collaboration are key to achieving school improvement goals.

January 8, 2019

Michael Kirst's parting advice: more teacher and principal training is critical to success of local control

In an exit interview, retiring state board President Michael Kirst urges more attention to professional development for teachers and principals, discusses the need for more school funding, an expanded school database and a new agency focused on children's needs.

John Fensterwald

January 7, 2019

State board of education president, and governor’s ally, leaves mark on California education

Michael Kirst has helped lead the state through significant education reforms.

Dick Jung

December 18, 2018

With sparse state funding, California districts get creative in addressing student health

As needs far outpace resources, districts are increasingly turning to outside partnerships to provide services that they see as crucial to a student's success.