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

July 22, 2020

Quick Guide: How has the pandemic altered California’s school accountability reforms?

California has put on hold most aspects of its school accountability system. Learn more about how the state is handling accountability during the coronavirus pandemic.

EdSource Staff

June 12, 2020

No deal yet on California school funding; Legislature ready to pass its own budget

Gov. Newsom would cut $6.4 billion in school funding if Congress doesn’t deliver more stimulus aid. The Legislature would issue more IOUs to schools instead.

John Fensterwald

June 5, 2020

Gov. Newsom won’t bend on directing billions to low-income students’ learning loss

The governor and the Legislature are at odds over how to distribute federal coronavirus relief; Newsom cites growing achievement gap.

John Fensterwald

June 3, 2020

DATABASE: Federal aid helps some California schools more than others under governor's plan

Federal stimulus funding is coming to the aid of California’s school districts. An EdSource analysis projects that of the 897 districts that receive their funding through the state’s education funding formula, 60.4 percent would get more in stimulus funding than they’d lose in state cuts.

Daniel J. Willis

June 3, 2020

Most California districts would get more in federal aid than they’d lose in budget cuts

Districts are anticipating billions more in unfunded costs to reopen schools. They want some of the money they'll need to be distributed more evenly than Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes.

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis

May 28, 2020

Cash-strapped Bay Area school district braces for cuts in state funding

With funding shortfalls on the horizon and higher costs due to the pandemic, district officials fear that more difficult choices are ahead.

Ali Tadayon

May 22, 2020

California districts could pursue teacher layoffs if new state budget cuts K-12 funding

School districts can do a second round of layoffs if K-12 funding increases less than 2%. CTA will ask the Legislature to prevent it.

John Fensterwald

May 19, 2020

Six urban California districts say proposed budget cuts will set back restarting school

Superintendents argue that uncertainty and the higher costs of Covid-19, combined with a 10% cut in general funding, require increased funding.

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 23, 2020

Parents worrying about coronavirus’ toll on children's learning, survey finds

PPIC annual poll finds parents are satisfied with how districts closed schools and how Gov. Newsom has handled K-12 education.

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

April 14, 2020

In pandemic’s wake, California needs to rethink system of support for schools

When the coronavirus crisis has run its course, all of California’s schools and districts will need help to get back on their feet.

Daniel C. Humphrey

March 9, 2020

California districts complain proposed state budget won’t cover expenses

With mandated costs rising, school districts had been counting on a larger cost of living adjustment that they’d receive next year.

John Fensterwald