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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.

March 26, 2018

Federal help available to California schools struggling with wildfire costs

Funding is available for bus service for displaced students, staff overtime, air filters and other fire-related expenses.

Carolyn Jones
March 13, 2018

Gov. Brown’s plan to change community college funding to promote student success faces scrutiny

The Legislative Analyst’s Office is recommending that Brown tie funding to the academic outcomes of low-income students.

Mikhail Zinshteyn
March 1, 2018

Senators want to add extra $1.2 billion to California school funding formula next year

Districts strapped with rising expenses could use the money however they want.

John Fensterwald
February 21, 2018

California research project timed to elevate education in fall elections, inform next governor

"Getting Down to Facts" studies will take stock of a decade of change and point to what other states are doing differently.

John Fensterwald
February 13, 2018

Science education funding still in Trump’s crosshairs, despite being saved by Congress

2019 budget proposal eliminates NASA education office and teacher training grants.

Carolyn Jones
January 17, 2018

Initiative backers betting 2018 will be the year to take on California's Proposition 13

“Split-roll” proposal would raise billions for schools and local governments by increasing property taxes on businesses.

John Fensterwald
January 9, 2018

Gov. Brown proposes ambitious education agenda in his final state budget

Infusion of revenue for K-12 should enable him to finish paying for Local Control Funding Formula ahead of schedule.

John Fensterwald
December 3, 2017

24 ideas for improving the Local Control Funding Formula

EdSource sought the advice of experts, advocates and observers; common themes emerged on improving Gov. Jerry Brown's landmark law.

John Fensterwald
December 3, 2017

Jerry Brown's dilemma: fix school funding formula now or watch others do it later

Many praise the formula's ambitious goals but criticize its burdensome documentation requirements, inadequate funding and the lack of fiscal transparency.

John Fensterwald
November 15, 2017

Legislative Analyst predicts healthy state revenues for California schools, community colleges

Gov. Brown could fully fund the Local Control Funding Formula ahead of schedule, with $2.5 billion to spare.

John Fensterwald
October 30, 2017

High hopes but few details for Trump's $200 million STEM pledge

Computer science programs expected to be a priority for Department of Education grants

Carolyn Jones
October 12, 2017

Impact of Wine Country fire felt in schools far outside fire zone because of air quality concerns

Hundreds of schools, some more than an hour from the fire zones, closed due to poor air quality. Others closed due to fire hazards.

EdSource Staff
October 4, 2017

New poll: Safe and positive school environment more important than higher test scores

A survey of California registered voters also shows strong support for school districts to devote more funds and resources to addressing the needs of the state’s most vulnerable students.

Louis Freedberg, John Fensterwald, and Theresa Harrington
October 3, 2017

LA County Office admits it shouldn't have approved Long Beach's LCAP

County officials are now demanding districts do a better job of justifying spending for low-income students and English learners under the funding formula.

John Fensterwald
September 17, 2017

Legislation roundup: STEM school, later school start, 'meal shaming,' budget reserves; what passed and what didn't

What also happened to California proposals for charter schools, fiscal transparency, longer teacher probation — and more.

EdSource staff