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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.
December 3, 2017

24 ideas for improving the Local Control Funding Formula

EdSource sought the advice of experts, advocates and observers; common themes emerged on improving Gov. Jerry Brown's landmark law.

John Fensterwald
December 3, 2017

Jerry Brown's dilemma: fix school funding formula now or watch others do it later

Many praise the formula's ambitious goals but criticize its burdensome documentation requirements, inadequate funding and the lack of fiscal transparency.

John Fensterwald
November 27, 2017

State board’s next challenge: how to measure school climate, the heartbeat of a school

Study group recommends that districts conduct an annual survey of parents, students and teachers on school safety and students' wellbeing.

John Fensterwald
November 15, 2017

Legislative Analyst predicts healthy state revenues for California schools, community colleges

Gov. Brown could fully fund the Local Control Funding Formula ahead of schedule, with $2.5 billion to spare.

John Fensterwald
November 7, 2017

Democratic candidates for governor declare support for California's signature education reforms

John Chiang, Delaine Eastin, Gavin Newsom, and Antonio Villaraigosa all say they support the Local Control Funding Formula and California's emphasis on local control.

Louis Freedberg
November 6, 2017

Stagnant California test scores pose problem; state board may rejigger how to rate districts

State may change color configurations on the school dashboard to reduce the number of districts and student subgroups requiring county assistance.

John Fensterwald
October 4, 2017

New poll: Safe and positive school environment more important than higher test scores

A survey of California registered voters also shows strong support for school districts to devote more funds and resources to addressing the needs of the state’s most vulnerable students.

Louis Freedberg, John Fensterwald, and Theresa Harrington
October 3, 2017

LA County Office admits it shouldn't have approved Long Beach's LCAP

County officials are now demanding districts do a better job of justifying spending for low-income students and English learners under the funding formula.

John Fensterwald
October 2, 2017

Shelters, cars and crowded rooms

An EdSource special report on how the housing crisis has forced more students into homelessness.

Carolyn Jones and Daniel J. Willis
October 2, 2017

California map shows hot spots of homeless students

Explore our map showing the percentage of homeless students as reported by California's more than 10,000 schools.

Daniel J. Willis
October 2, 2017

Amid affluence, youth homelessness surges in the Bay Area

Nearly 15,000 children living in shelters, motels, cars or "doubled up" with other families

Carolyn Jones and Daniel J. Willis
October 2, 2017

Oakland shelter gives homeless teen hope for a future

An audio story on the challenges facing homeless students in Oakland and the resources available to them, like the Dreamcatcher Youth Shelter

Sarah Tan
October 2, 2017

Schools face challenge bringing homeless children out of the shadows

Over a quarter of the state’s nearly 10,500 schools report zero homeless students meaning homeless students in those districts aren't receiving the specialized assistance required by state and federal law.

Carolyn Jones and Daniel J. Willis
September 27, 2017

Average scores flat in 3rd year of California's Common Core-aligned tests

Search results for the 2016-17 Smarter Balanced assessments of math and English language arts by school or district and see three-year trendlines for the Common Core-aligned tests.

John Fensterwald
September 17, 2017

Legislation roundup: STEM school, later school start, 'meal shaming,' budget reserves; what passed and what didn't

What also happened to California proposals for charter schools, fiscal transparency, longer teacher probation — and more.

EdSource staff