EXPLORE: Podcast: One year after the teachers’ strikeRural California: An Education DivideYear in Review
Policy & Finance
Topic

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, English learners and foster and homeless children. 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. The changes in funding were tied to major changes in how districts assess students and are held accountable for their success. Districts must outline how they will spend their funds in a Local Control and Accountability Plan. Whether these reforms succeed in improving student outcomes significantly and narrow historically large achievement gaps is now the core issue and challenge in education reform in California.

January 15, 2020

California Voices: Education leaders speak out on Gov. Newsom's budget proposals

Leaders representing all segments of California's education system share their reactions to the governor’s budget proposals.

EdSource staff
January 13, 2020

In his own words: Gov. Newsom explains his budget proposals for K-12 education

Newsom in his second budget proposes to spend $900 million for teacher recruitment and preparation

By EdSource Staff
January 13, 2020

In his own words: Gov. Newsom explains his budget proposals for higher education

Gov. Newsom in his second budget calls for a 5% increase in funding for the University of California and the California State University, and a 3.9 percent increase for community colleges.

By EdSource Staff
January 11, 2020

California governor proposes nearly $1 billion to tackle teacher preparation, shortages

With nearly $4 billion in new money, Newsom would also like to invest in improving special education services and expanding community schools.

John Fensterwald
January 10, 2020

California governor wants to expand preschool and create new early child development department

By 2021, 20,000 more low-income 4-year-olds could enroll in preschool.

Zaidee Stavely
January 10, 2020

Amid shortages, schools settle for underprepared special education teachers

The number of new special education teachers working without a full credential hit 5,196 in 2017-18 — the highest number in a decade.

Diana Lambert
January 8, 2020

California’s effort to turn school staff into teachers starts to pay off

More than 2,000 bus drivers, clerks, custodians and teacher aides are earning bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials. 

Diana Lambert
January 7, 2020

Big promises for little kids: Has California governor delivered on early education?

The early childhood workforce is one area where some experts believe Newsom and the Legislature have fallen short.

Zaidee Stavely
January 3, 2020

Gavin Newsom's 1st-year K-12 scorecard: good grades on priorities and some incompletes

He forged a compromise to revise California's charter school law and gave districts unexpected help to pay employee pension obligations.

John Fensterwald
December 19, 2019

Chris Steinhauser to retire after 18 years leading Long Beach Unified

He is one of the longest-serving urban superintendents, praised for his collaborative style and his role in improving student achievement.

John Fensterwald
December 12, 2019

Some ratings rise in 3rd year of California School Dashboard

Fewer districts will require help from county offices, but colors tell a bigger story; disparities among student groups persist.

John Fensterwald
December 12, 2019

Search and compare data from the California School Dashboard, 2019

Search and compare all California public schools, districts, cities and counties for data from the state's school accountability dashboard.

Justin Allen, Daniel J. Willis, And Yuxuan Xie
December 3, 2019

Multiple school transfers contribute to high absenteeism among foster students

Foster students miss the most school days of any group of students in the state.

Ashley A. Smith
November 27, 2019

Schools fail to identify thousands of homeless children, state audit finds

California schools must do a better job of counting and providing services to homeless students, audit says.

Carolyn Jones
November 25, 2019

University of California under pressure from within to abandon SAT and ACT for admission

UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ makes strongest remarks yet against the use of college admissions tests at Berkeley as university awaits faculty report on the issue.

Louis Freedberg