Topic

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.

Local Control Funding Formula

November 24, 2021

Researchers urge changes to improve California’s education funding law

Suggestions include confronting disparities in staffing fully qualified teachers and more evenly distributing money for high-needs students.

John Fensterwald

Coronavirus

November 22, 2021

California districts in areas with low vaccine rates offer incentives to get school staff vaccinated

Some California school districts, struggling with staffing shortages, are paying teachers and other staff to get their Covid-19 vaccine.

Diana Lambert

Early Learning

November 19, 2021

Universal preschool and affordable child care: What survives in Biden’s spending bill

The $2 trillion House-passed social policy bill includes about $400 billion earmarked for universal preschool and affordable child care and an extension of the child tax credit.

Karen D'Souza

School Finance

November 17, 2021

$20 billion more projected in early forecast for 2022-23 funding for K-14 schools

Legislative Analyst's Office forecasts rocketing state revenues will provide K-12 schools and community colleges with $102.7 billion.

John Fensterwald

Los Angeles Unified

November 17, 2021

Does Los Angeles Unified’s powerful school board contribute to leadership turnover?

No school board in the country is paid more than Los Angeles', and over the years it has become in effect a parallel power structure in the district.

Louis Freedberg

Following Covid Money in Education

November 15, 2021

How will California districts spend $13.6 billion in federal Covid relief?

American Rescue Plan Act funding imposes few restrictions, although addressing lost learning and underserved students must be priorities.

John Fensterwald

Community Colleges

November 12, 2021

Dramatic enrollment drop won’t cost California community colleges state aid but could impact adjunct faculty

California's community colleges' declining enrollment won't reduce state funding but adjunct profs may lose opportunities.

Michael Burke And Thomas Peele

Data

November 8, 2021

Find out how much California school districts and charter schools received in Covid relief | Database

See how the over $13.6 billion in federal aid to California’s K-12 schools will be spent using this interactive database.

Daniel J. Willis And Justin Allen

Commentary

November 5, 2021

One district's faulty data shouldn't drive California's math policy

California's 2022 revision of the mathematics framework should be where we come together to improve on what actually works — and be based on peer-reviewed data.

Seeyew Mo

School Finance

November 5, 2021

State schools chief apologizes to private, parochial school leaders for mishandling federal Covid aid

California schools chief acknowledges "heartburn" and frustration, promises to free up $187 million, largely for urban parochial schools.

John Fensterwald

Student Well-Being

November 3, 2021

New law to bring CalFresh food benefits to more college students

A new state law will make it easier for college students to qualify for CalFresh food benefits by requiring campus-based programs to apply for a certification stating they are helping to increase student employability.

Betty Márquez Rosales

Student Health

October 29, 2021

California school vaccine mandate coming soon, but questions remain

California’s school vaccine mandate is moving closer to reality with the imminent approval of the Covid-19 vaccine for kids, but many are confused.

Diana Lambert

Community Colleges

October 25, 2021

California community colleges unable to justify placing students in remedial classes, study finds

Most of California's community colleges are still placing students in remedial classes, but a new study finds they can't justify doing so.

Michael Burke

Federal Education Policy

October 25, 2021

For months, California private schools have been waiting for 'emergency' Covid aid

Delay by the California Department of Education is denying vital services for students, creating a budget squeeze for urban Catholic schools.

John Fensterwald

Following Covid Money in Education

October 20, 2021

California state auditor urges tighter oversight of how districts spend federal Covid aid

State Auditor Elaine Howle faults California Department of Education for not scrutinizing spending and not doing more audits.