EXPLORE: REMOTE'S IMPACT ON THE YOUNGESTQuick Guides
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
October 14, 2020

California governor’s Supreme Court nominee wrote opinion derailing adequate school funding case

As an appellate judge, Martin Jenkins concluded the state Constitution doesn’t require minimum funding for schools; that’s for lawmakers to determine.

John Fensterwald
School Finance
September 30, 2020

Quick Guide: Proposition 15, the proposed ‘split-roll’ tax on commercial property, defeated

Big corporate property owners would pay the bulk of new taxes; opponents claim costs would be borne by small business renters.

John Fensterwald
Local Control Funding Formula
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
Quick Guides
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
School Finance
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
Coronavirus
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
School Finance
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
Coronavirus
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
Policy & Finance
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
School Finance
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
School Finance
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
Local Control Funding Formula
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
Local Control Funding Formula
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
Coronavirus
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
Coronavirus
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