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.

March 3, 2020

California election 2020: Democratic presidential primary and Prop. 13 school construction bond

EdSource will post the presidential primary and Prop. 13 results, by county, using our automated tracker. Check back for results.

EdSource staff

March 2, 2020

‘13’ could be unlucky number for school construction measure on California ballot

Prop. 13 on the March 2020 ballot will create confusion among some voters. And confusion is likely to add to the “no” vote total.

Louis Freedberg

February 28, 2020

Four California school districts ask voters to pay for teacher and staff housing

On March 3 four California school districts will ask California voters to tax themselves to pay for teacher housing through a general obligation bond.

Diana Lambert

February 27, 2020

Opinion: Big school bonds favor Wall Street bond brokers, not California’s school kids

State can use some of the budget surplus, instead of high-interest bond financing, to fund school repairs, state senator says.

Brian Jones

February 27, 2020

Opinion: California students deserve safe, healthy schools

Health and safety projects will have the highest priority for funding under proposed California bond, Proposition 13, says California State PTA.

Celia Jaffe

February 27, 2020

West Contra Costa Unified school board votes to lay off up to 300 workers in June

Teachers to receive layoff notices next week, but district hopes to rescind many by negotiating other cost-cutting solutions with unions.

Theresa Harrington

February 27, 2020

Building better schools and colleges: Californians argue for and against Prop. 13 on March 3, 2020 ballot

Proponents and opponents of the $15 billion state bond measure for K-12 and higher education facilities funding, share their views.

Guest authors

February 26, 2020

Charter school politics still in play in LA Unified school board elections

A majority of school board seats in Los Angeles are on the ballot next week in a crucial election for the state’s largest school district.

Michael Burke

February 24, 2020

On Education: What Democratic presidential candidates are promising

The summary lays out the key education positions of eight Democratic candidates on the primary ballot.

EdSource staff

February 21, 2020

California community college students would receive more financial aid under a new state proposal

More than 300,000 additional community college students would be eligible for Cal Grants covering non-tuition costs under a new proposal.

Michael Burke

February 21, 2020

Why test scores matter

Test scores are only one measure of a student, but they can be used to dispel stereotypes and promote higher achievement, superintendent says.

Frank Donavan

February 20, 2020

Voters in some California communities will be called on to pay for more child care

Alameda County, Sacramento and Emeryville all have measures on the ballot that would either generate or set aside funds for child care.

Zaidee Stavely

February 19, 2020

Opinion: California’s children cannot thrive in dilapidated schools

Statewide bond measure would provide for desperately needed renovation of old school buildings, supporters say.

Bina Lefkovitz and David W. Gordon

February 18, 2020

Opinion: Voters should reject this Proposition 13

The $15 billion bond measure is unnecessary and unwise, opponents say.

Jon Coupal

February 18, 2020

Gov. Newsom’s big bets: community schools, competitive grants and new teacher incentives

The governor proposes $1.5 billion over 5 years on incentives for new teachers and grants managed by a small agency to fix highest poverty schools.