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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.
March 14, 2018

Community engagement is the key to making California's school funding formula work

Report says district focus on community engagement is vital for successful implementation.

Daniel Humphrey
March 7, 2018

California closes in on compromise for complying with federal education law

State Board of Education to vote next week on significant changes to meet the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

John Fensterwald
March 4, 2018

Oakland schools balance improving student performance while making deep budget cuts​

Oakland Unified is one of 28 districts that could face state intervention if at least three student subgroups don't improve in the next two years.

Theresa Harrington
March 1, 2018

Senators want to add extra $1.2 billion to California school funding formula next year

Districts strapped with rising expenses could use the money however they want.

John Fensterwald
February 21, 2018

California research project timed to elevate education in fall elections, inform next governor

"Getting Down to Facts" studies will take stock of a decade of change and point to what other states are doing differently.

John Fensterwald
February 14, 2018

With support instead of punishment, a California school district works to improve special education 

County offices of education are working with districts identified for "differentiated assistance" due to poor performance by student subgroups.

Theresa Harrington
February 12, 2018

Creating a 'test kitchen' to come up with a better school accountability plan in California

Defenders of local control worry time is running out to develop models that work for parents and districts

John Fensterwald
February 8, 2018

California's ambitious education reforms paying off in higher graduation rates and math scores, study finds

The study showed a significant increase in math performance, especially among low-income high school students.

Louis Freedberg
February 7, 2018

California's largest districts address chronic absenteeism with focus on why students miss school

Districts focusing on reasons for chronic absenteeism, such as illness, suspensions, transportation and family disruptions.

Nico Savidge
February 5, 2018

​Contrary to critics, parents tell pollster they find California’s school dashboard useful

Depending how the question is framed, they also favor rating schools on multiple factors, not issuing a single grade.

John Fensterwald
January 30, 2018

Federal, state visions for improving schools collide in California

The Every Student Succeeds Act is a battleground for the latest dispute between Sacramento and Washington.

John Fensterwald
January 16, 2018

California to explain but not change school improvement plan federal officials criticized

More details and tweaks in wording may not resolve key differences over Every Student Succeeds Act.

John Fensterwald
January 12, 2018

Can 600-plus California districts narrow the achievement gap?

Most must act on their own, without state or county assistance.

John Fensterwald and Daniel J. Willis
December 27, 2017

Federal government finds flaws in California’s plan to improve lowest-performing schools

Is state board exercising flexibility or violating the Every Student Succeeds Act?

John Fensterwald
December 11, 2017

New California 'dashboard' will prompt deeper questions about student and school performance

Parents are both capable of understanding multiple data points and eager to know more about their school’s successes and challenges.

Dianna MacDonald