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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.
June 27, 2018

California superintendents give mixed reviews of funding formula at year 5

A comprehensive survey of superintendents' views of the Local Control Funding Formula reveals support for extra money for low-income students and finds districts struggle to engage parents.

John Fensterwald
June 25, 2018

Network of California districts to explore the elusive goal of engaging parents

The 2018-19 state budget includes $13.3 million to create a network in which teams of parents, teachers and district administrators will identify ways to listen to and act on advice from the community.

John Fensterwald
June 20, 2018

California budget deal includes extra funding for students with lowest test scores

Persistence pays off for Assemblywoman Shirley Weber with a compromise resulting in $300 million in one-time spending.

John Fensterwald
June 14, 2018

California lawmakers approve 2018-19 state budget: how schools, colleges will fare

There's enough new money to "fully fund" the Local Control Funding Formula and stave off UC and CSU tuition increases.

John Fensterwald, Yuxuan Xie, Mikhail Zinshteyn, And Justin Allen
June 5, 2018

LA Unified not directing enough money to help low-income students, report charges

The rising costs of health care and pensions stand in the way of meeting the promise of the funding formula, says the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

John Fensterwald
May 31, 2018

Where the two leading candidates for California superintendent stand on the issues

Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck aren't as far apart as millions spent for and against them would imply.

John Fensterwald And Yuxuan Xie
May 30, 2018

California governor’s race: Dems agree on child care, higher spending; differ on districts rejecting charters based on financial impact

The candidates differ on how they would work toward their goals to improve education in California.

Nico Savidge
May 21, 2018

Push underway to increase California school funding by billions

Assembly Bill 2808 sets a goal of $35 billion more in base spending for the Local Control Funding Formula; that would put California among the top 10 states in spending but without a deadline or means to reach it.

John Fensterwald
May 15, 2018

Resources often don't match rhetoric for restorative justice in California schools

While awareness of restorative justice is high among school officials statewide, budgets for programs remain tiny in most school districts.

David Washburn
May 9, 2018

A closer look at California’s impressive educational performance

Recent reforms are translating into improved performance, says former state schools chief.

Bill Honig
April 23, 2018

Advocates accuse Bay Area district of failing to release data on student performance

Data needed so public can have a say in how the district spends state funds

Theresa Harrington
April 17, 2018

African-American students would get extra funding under proposal before Legislature

Bill would modify the Local Control Funding Formula to add money for the lowest-performing student group; it could violate the law barring preferential treatment based on race or ethnicity.

John Fensterwald
April 17, 2018

Discovering gold in California’s schools

Educators across the state are hard at work creating a brighter future for all those kids who historically have been underserved.

Carl Cohn
April 13, 2018

California's plan for Every Student Succeeds Act heads to Betsy DeVos for approval

The state board is satisfied with compromises but will seek one waiver involving English learners.

John Fensterwald
April 8, 2018

To compromise or not: State education board to vote on California’s amended plan for meeting federal law

The state could still seek waivers from changes that board members don’t like — but only after a plan is submitted.

John Fensterwald