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State Education Policy

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.

August 14, 2018

Community colleges try new ‘pathway’ to student success

California colleges are pursuing a bold effort to improve graduation and transfer. Could its ambition be a stumbling block to success?

Karin Fischer
August 13, 2018

Gary Hart, author of California’s charter school law, reflects on its impact

Although former Sen. Gary Hart never imagined there would be 1,200 charter schools, overall he’s pleased. He would set up a different appeals process for charters whose applications have been rejected.

John Fensterwald
August 5, 2018

After quarter century of rapid expansion, charter school growth slowing in California

The slowdown could increase competition among parents and students to get into the most sought-after charter schools.

Louis Freedberg and John Fensterwald
August 1, 2018

Many charter schools fail to disclose spending on low-income students, report says

Out of 70 LCAPs selected, Public Advocates couldn’t find 27 online and most of the 43 reviewed lacked key spending data and evidence of parent involvement.

John Fensterwald
July 27, 2018

California high school grad rate drops with new methodology

Corrected for problems with past years’ calculations, 82.7 percent in the Class of 2017 got their diplomas compared with 83.8 percent the year before.

John Fensterwald
July 26, 2018

California kids who didn’t learn to read to get day in court

The lawsuit demands that the state improve reading and writing instruction in schools serving low-income students of color.

John Fensterwald
July 17, 2018

Oakland charter school approved amid concerns over fiscal impact on district

California Department of Education official calls state's charter school laws outdated and says they are in need of revision.

Theresa Harrington
July 11, 2018

California officials confident they’ve cut deal in dispute over federal education law

State Board also votes to continue exploring a way to measure a school’s impact on student learning. Advocates say a “growth model" will be more precise than the method the state uses now.

Mikhail Zinshteyn and John Fensterwald
July 10, 2018

Pressure builds to change how California measures student progress on state tests

Student advocacy groups and academics are seeking to adopt a model other states use to calculate the impact of students’ test score growth, but state staff urge patience.

John Fensterwald and Mikhail Zinshteyn
July 1, 2018

Need to rethink tying high-school diploma to college course requirements

Requiring graduates meet California State University requirements may deny diplomas to otherwise prepared students.

Russell W. Rumberger
June 27, 2018

California superintendents give mixed reviews of funding formula at year 5

A comprehensive survey of superintendents' views of the Local Control Funding Formula reveals support for extra money for low-income students and finds districts struggle to engage parents.

John Fensterwald
June 25, 2018

Network of California districts to explore the elusive goal of engaging parents

The 2018-19 state budget includes $13.3 million to create a network in which teams of parents, teachers and district administrators will identify ways to listen to and act on advice from the community.

John Fensterwald
June 14, 2018

California lawmakers approve 2018-19 state budget: how schools, colleges will fare

There's enough new money to "fully fund" the Local Control Funding Formula and stave off UC and CSU tuition increases.

John Fensterwald, Yuxuan Xie, Mikhail Zinshteyn, and Justin Allen
June 14, 2018

California budget includes increase for infant and toddler care but not enough to meet demand

The budget will fund the creation of 13,407 new child care slots for low-income families.

Ashley Hopkinson
June 7, 2018

Tom Armelino appointed to succeed Carl Cohn to head key education agency in California

Educator with deep California roots will head state agency to help districts improve student outcomes.

Louis Freedberg