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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.
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
April 3, 2018

California districts to take part in groundbreaking school safety study

Researchers will spend five years studying California schools in order to get a better picture of how they can become places where people feel safer and more connected.

David Washburn
March 21, 2018

California tops in suspension reform, but still not properly targeting disparities, report says

The report finds no other state does a better job than California at holding districts accountable for reducing overall school suspensions. But districts still don't adequately prioritize cuts in suspension rates for students of color and other marginalized groups.

David Washburn
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