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EXPLORE: Weekly PodcastGetting Down to FactsCA State Supt. of Schools RaceWildfires
Policy & Finance
Topic

School Finance

In passing the Local Control Funding Formula in 2013, the Legislature shifted decision-making back to local districts and steered more money to districts with higher proportions of low-income children and English learners. Proposition 98, adopted in 1988, sets the overall yearly level of K-12 and community college spending through a complex formula tied to the growth in the state economy.

November 15, 2018

As economy booms, schools, community colleges can expect modest increase in Newsom’s first budget

The Legislative Analyst's Office projects that a 3.1 percent increase would cover little more than inflation, but early education advocates see potential opportunities elsewhere in the state budget.

John Fensterwald And Mikhail Zinshteyn
November 14, 2018

New California coalition agrees on next steps to improve schools, student achievement

The Alliance for Continuous Improvement releases a "GPS" guide that calls for improving on sweeping changes already in place: new education standards, a more equitable funding system and higher expectations for student success.

John Fensterwald
November 7, 2018

A cradle-to-career education system in California: What it might cost

Gavin Newsom has proposed a far-reaching education agenda - but at what price? A visual guide from EdSource

Yuxuan Xie And Karin Fischer
October 31, 2018

California needs a new master plan to close the education equity gap

State must invest new revenues in public education and modernize data system, author says.

John Affeldt
October 30, 2018

Oakland risks state takeover if it fails to make budget cuts, state and county officials warn

District is surveying community and board plans to hear feedback from public on proposed budget cuts at meeting next month.

Theresa Harrington
October 25, 2018

Jerry Brown awaits his day in court on pension reform

The governor wants California Supreme Court to give public agencies, like school districts, the ability to change pension benefits for current workers in hard times.

John Fensterwald
October 22, 2018

Oakland Unified proposes to cut central office jobs to help balance next year's budget

District proposes cuts of $7 million to central services and $3 million to schools, along with $6.5 million in other spending reductions or savings.

Theresa Harrington
September 30, 2018

The case for spending a lot more on California schools

Two panels of teachers and principals were asked to design minimal staffing, programs and resources to meet state expectations for educating all students in California. Their finding: Add $22 billion to the tab.

John Fensterwald
September 18, 2018

California governor signs bill that could yield millions for Oakland and Inglewood schools

Two districts facing budget deficits get state budget lifeline, but only if they make changes.

Theresa Harrington
September 17, 2018

Multifaceted reforms needed to reach California’s education goals, research project finds

Getting Down to Facts II finds strong support for education reforms but also obstacles to student achievement and a need for more funding.

John Fensterwald
September 17, 2018

Essential Guide to Getting Down to Facts II

Here are the take-aways from the studies on special education, funding needs, a teacher shortage, a data deficit, student mental health local control's unmet potential – and more.

John Fensterwald, Daniel J. Willis, Yuxuan Xie, And Justin Allen
September 17, 2018

Ten years on, California is making progress but must do more for preK-12 education

Getting Down to Facts II research project scrutinized how California's schools are doing after a decade of policy changes.

Susanna Loeb
August 31, 2018

California poised to help Oakland and Inglewood dig out of budget deficits but with strings attached

Proposed legislation related to districts in fiscal distress would provide state aid to cover a portion of future deficits.

Theresa Harrington
August 29, 2018

Oakland Raiders donation to help save after-school sports in Oakland Unified

The Bay Area district is seeking donations to offset a $500,000 budget cut that originally would have eliminated 10 sports.

Theresa Harrington
August 27, 2018

Amid backlash over cuts especially for girls sports, Oakland Unified restores girls’ golf, tennis and lacrosse

District scrambles to comply with Title IX requirements, seeks donations to keep other sports alive.

Theresa Harrington