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Policy & Finance

While California’s Local Control Funding Formula shifted control over budgeting and decision making from the state to local districts, the state and federal government still retain authority over setting broad education and school finance policies. In this section, find articles about pressing challenges to California’s education system, the state’s education reforms, how school districts are implementing them, and their impact.
Commentary
May 25, 2022

Schools should avail of state funding to serve more freshly prepared and locally grown food

California districts are leading the way in offering fresh, healthy school meals for all students.

Brandy Dreibelbis
Commentary
May 20, 2022

California education to be spared divisive statewide election battles this year

Education ballot measures that promised to be most divisive failed to gather enough support and signatures to make it to the ballot this year.

Louis Freedberg
Commentary
May 19, 2022

A comprehensive reading plan is the only way to address our early literacy crisis

The failure to teach California’s three million low-income students to be effective readers is the ultimate existential threat.

Todd Collins
Commentary
May 18, 2022

California must consider rural districts' unique realities for community schools grants

Innovative program that allowed rural districts to collaborate to create and expand community school programs runs into a surprising roadblock.

Julie Boesch and Tim Taylor
School Finance
May 17, 2022

Covid stipends cause outcry at Alameda County Office of Education

Managers, not union members, got the majority of the initial Covid stipends in the Alameda County Office of Education.

Carolyn Jones
College & Careers
May 13, 2022

Newsom reaffirms commitment to annual increases for UC, CSU; imposes annual progress reports

In exchange for five years of promised steady budget increases, UC and CSU commit to making progress toward key equity and efficiency goals and will publicly report on their progress.

Michael Burke And Ashley A. Smith
School Finance
May 13, 2022

Billions more for California schools, colleges under Newsom's revised budget

One-time and ongoing Proposition 98 funding would be an unprecedented $35 million more than the Legislature appropriated a year ago.

John Fensterwald, Karen D'Souza, Ali Tadayon, Michael Burke, And Ashley A. Smith
Community Schools & Partnerships
May 12, 2022

California set to launch hundreds of community schools with $635 million in grants

The state's "whole child" model stresses collaborating with parents, teachers and community organizations; 265 districts are to receive initial funding.

John Fensterwald
Commentary
May 12, 2022

Computer Science is everywhere in our world but almost nowhere in California schools

The governor and the Legislature should use the state budget to finally invest in the computer science teachers who are guiding California’s students.

Allison Scott, Art Lopez and Susan Bonilla
Commentary
May 12, 2022

The bus stops here: Time to fund transportation for all California students

California ranks last in the nation in the proportion of children receiving transportation from their schools. Districts would readily expand busing if the state fully covered the cost.

Christopher Schiermeyer and Mark Becker
Financial Aid
May 12, 2022

Advocates of major changes to Cal Grant look to Newsom

After California Gov. Gavin Newsom last fall vetoed an overhaul of the state's main financial aid program, advocates for change are hopeful he will support their proposals this year.

Michael Burke
Legislation
May 11, 2022

Health care funding for community college adjuncts expected in revised budget plan

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's revised state budget, due this week, is expected to include $200 million in new funding for health care benefits for part-time community college instructors.

Thomas Peele
Commentary
May 10, 2022

Controversial gender ideology in public education undermines families of faith

California and local school boards must allow parents to mentor their children on gender matters.

Rabbi Dov Fischer
Commentary
May 10, 2022

Reframing school as an identity playground: A space for exploration and affirmation

When students are encouraged to explore exactly who they are and who their classmates are — and not to expect everyone to conform to one homogenous view of the world — school becomes not just a place of education, but one of humanity.

Leigh Dela Victoria
Commentary
May 10, 2022

San Francisco Unified recall shows how parents can transform a district

School boards shouldn’t be political stepping stones for higher office. Parents must stay engaged to ensure their schools are run well.

Meredith W. Dodson