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Policy & Finance

California, under Gov. Jerry Brown, has shifted control over budgeting and decision-making from the state to local districts. But Sacramento – through the State Board of Education and the Legislature – and Washington, D.C., still retain authority over setting broad education and school finance policies. EdSource Today is tracking the development of the Local Control Funding Formula, California’s new school finance system, and how districts are implementing this reform.
May 25, 2018

Millions spent in final weeks of statewide races for governor and schools chief

Spending accelerates ahead of June 5 primary

Louis Freedberg
May 23, 2018

California superintendent candidates oppose big money from special interests

Marshall Tuck and Tony Thurmond also challenge attempts to categorize either of them as “pro” or “anti-charter.”

Nico Savidge
May 21, 2018

Push underway to increase California school funding by billions

Assembly Bill 2808 sets a goal of $35 billion more in base spending for the Local Control Funding Formula; that would put California among the top 10 states in spending but without a deadline or means to reach it.

John Fensterwald
May 21, 2018

Community college reforms are on the right track

Colleges must become more student-focused in their practices, advocates say.

Michele Siqueiros
May 16, 2018

The art of engagement: classroom management now matters more in teacher training

The current era of discipline reform in California is putting greater emphasis on an aspect of teaching that has long gotten the short shrift in teacher credentialing programs.

David Washburn
May 16, 2018

Charter school backers' support for former LA mayor's bid for governor grows

Contribution of $2 million from San Francisco philanthropist William Oberndorf boosts contributions to independent expenditure committee backing Villaraigosa to just over $16 million

Louis Freedberg and Nico Savidge
May 11, 2018

California K-12 schools get slightly more in Gov. Brown's revised state budget

A recession is coming, so don't get 'giddy' over the prospect of adding or expanding programs, governor warns.

John Fensterwald
May 10, 2018

On California campaign trail, a push to strip school funding for undocumented students

Travis Allen's desire to cut funding for educating undocumented students is a reprise of the anti-immigrant fervor of the Proposition 187 era.

Louis Freedberg
May 9, 2018

State Board of Education President Mike Kirst announces he'll retire — and reflects on changes he has led

He acknowledges that he couldn’t duplicate the special relationship advising a governor for 44 years.

John Fensterwald
May 9, 2018

A closer look at California’s impressive educational performance

Recent reforms are translating into improved performance, says former state schools chief.

Bill Honig
May 9, 2018

Gubernatorial debate includes pledges for universal preschool from Democrats

In contrast, the Republican candidates oppose providing state-subsidized preschool for all California 4-year-olds.

Nico Savidge
May 7, 2018

GOP candidates for governor say California schools need changes, not more funding

Republicans John Cox and Travis Allen offer vastly different visions for education than their Democratic opponents.

Nico Savidge
May 7, 2018

New science test must be part of California's school accountability system

State must signal importance of science to accelerate implementation of new science standards.

Jill Grace and Vincent Stewart
May 6, 2018

How teacher strikes in other states help California unions make their case

As teachers’ unions scramble to blunt the impact of a looming Supreme Court decision regarding their ability to collect dues, the recent teacher strikes across the nation have handed them a rallying cry.

John Fensterwald and David Washburn
May 3, 2018

African-American students with disabilities suspended at disproportionately high rates

Report finds those students lose substantially more instruction time due to discipline than their white counterparts.

Lee Romney