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Reforms
Topic

Local Control Funding Formula

California has reformed its system of school financing by introducing the Local Control Funding Formula. The formula, which requires districts to draw up a Local Control and Accountability Plan, grants more decision-making powers to school districts, and also gives additional state funds to districts based on the number of low-income students, English learners, foster children and homeless youth they serve.
School Finance
May 15, 2023

Author of bill to tie school employees' raises to funding formula increases makes big concession

Assembly Education Committee Chair Al Muratsuchi agrees to drop language explicitly calling for raising school workers' wages by 50% over seven years.

John Fensterwald
Local Control Funding Formula
May 9, 2023

Two dozen views on LCFF: Is California's funding law working and what could improve it?

Educators and advocates, parents and political leaders across the spectrum agree that the funding formula had great promise — and still does. But they widely disagree on what’s hindering the potential to unravel inequities.

John Fensterwald
Commentary
April 4, 2023

The clock is ticking on community schools

All schools should be community schools. Districts must act proactively to ensure the long-term sustainability of their programs once the initial state investment in community schools runs out.

Michael Matsuda
Policy & Finance
April 4, 2023

Does California's landmark school funding formula need 10th year makeover?

Public Advocates and ACLU join Gov. Gavin Newsom in calling for major changes to the funding formula's mandate for equitable and effective spending through the LCAP.

John Fensterwald
Black Student Success
February 16, 2023

Newsom’s big bet on fixing California's poorest schools and narrowing achievement gaps

Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing the biggest changes in a decade to the state system of funding and governing schools.

John Fensterwald, Emma Gallegos, And Daniel J. Willis
Commentary
February 13, 2023

We need stronger accountability to fulfill the equity promise of California’s school funding system

Ten years into California's new Local Control Funding Formula, students are still not getting the resources and support promised by the law.

Guillermo Mayer and Christopher J. Nellum
Local Control Funding Formula
January 4, 2023

California’s school finance ratings: D for adequacy, B for equity, F for effort — but on the upswing

California ranks 33rd in 2019-20, adjusted for its cost of living, spending $13,686 per student in state and local funding. Its method of funding poor districts is one of the nation's most equitable.

John Fensterwald
People
November 7, 2022

New biography examines Michael Kirst's impact on public education in California and beyond

Kirst , who was president of the State Board of Education for all four of Jerry Brown’s terms as governor, co-authored the Local Control Funding Formula.

John Fensterwald
Commentary
November 1, 2022

California's accountability system is failing English learners

The California School Dashboard masks the needs of English learners, leading to low expectations for these students and resulting in many districts not planning for their support and success.

Martha Hernandez
High-needs students
September 2, 2022

Gov. Newsom quashes bill to provide more funding for Black students

An unstated reason was Prop. 209, banning preferences by race; governor promises more funding somehow for state's lowest performing student group next year

John Fensterwald
California State University
June 28, 2022

Gov. Newsom strikes deal on state budget: big increase for K-12, plan to expand Cal Grant, too

Compromise includes 13% more for funding formula, extra for community schools, student transportation, school construction, literacy coaches and expansion of Cal Grants.

John Fensterwald And Michael Burke
School Finance
June 22, 2022

California Prop. 13’s 'unjust legacy' detailed in critical study

Study recommends no specific fix to 1978 property tax limit initiative, but the Opportunity Institute and Pivot Learning cite many reasons to consider reforms.

John Fensterwald
California's Enrollment Rollercoaster
May 2, 2022

Growing suburban Sacramento school districts spared state's declining enrollment

New housing construction in suburbs around Sacramento have saved some school districts in the region from the belt-tightening that comes with declining student enrollment. 

Diana Lambert
Local Control Funding Formula
April 29, 2022

Senate, Assembly agree California schools should receive billions more in unrestricted funding

Districts complain COLA isn't enough to cover their costs and needs; Gov. Newsom to release revised budget, revenue projections by May 15.

John Fensterwald
Commentary
March 21, 2022

We must focus on equity as California tackles declining enrollment

As California policymakers grapple with the fiscal implications of declining school enrollment, they must seize the opportunity to address equity.

Robert Manwaring