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.

July 10, 2020

State funding may be stagnant, but schools can still find money for mental health services

Schools should work with nonprofits and government agencies to pay for expanded services, panelists say.

Carolyn Jones

July 9, 2020

Gov. Newsom names three members to California’s State Board of Education

Riverside administrator Cynthia Glover Woods, Yurok Tribe leader James McQuillen and bilingual high school teacher Haydee Rodriguez join the board.

John Fensterwald

July 9, 2020

Schools should not open until safety is assured, California Teachers Association tells state

Message reinforced by American Academy of Pediatrics that clarifies that it believes children should be in school, but only if it can be done safely.

Louis Freedberg

June 26, 2020

California Legislature approves state budget; here are the highlights for education funding

Legislators spared K-12 schools and community colleges cuts, but will force them to borrow billions and rely on more stimulus aid from Congress.

EdSource staff

June 25, 2020

California school leaders ambivalent as they await vote on state budget

They're grateful that their budgets won't be cut, but worry about added expenses and the uncertainty of planning for a return to school in a pandemic.

John Fensterwald

June 25, 2020

California schools must provide daily live interaction, access to technology this fall

California lawmakers introduced distance learning provisions around instructional time, attendance and connecting with parents.

Sydney Johnson

June 25, 2020

Some California teaching credential requirements will ease thanks to budget deal

The new California budget makes it easier for teacher candidates affected by coronavirus-related closures to complete credentials.

Diana Lambert

June 23, 2020

In California budget deal, no cuts for K-12 but billions in late payments to schools

Under the agreement, teachers and some – but not all – of other school employees would be protected from layoffs for the year.

John Fensterwald

June 15, 2020

California immunization rates drop 40% during pandemic

State health officials said parents likely were afraid to take their children to medical offices during the pandemic.

Diana Lambert

June 11, 2020

UC Irvine to offer remote undergraduate instruction in fall, but students will still be allowed on campus

Irvine's decision is the first among the nine University of California campuses that enroll undergraduates.

Louis Freedberg

June 11, 2020

More explicit guidance for distance learning sparks debate in Legislature

Parents and student advocacy groups are demanding better remote instruction than what many children, especially in low-income schools, have received.

John Fensterwald

June 4, 2020

Lawmakers look for new ways to pay for broadband in rural California

A bond proposal aims to build broadband infrastructure in rural California, help purchase computers and fund professional training for teachers.

Sydney Johnson

May 30, 2020

Governor suspends California teacher testing requirements for candidates impacted by coronavirus closures

Newsom issued an executive order suspending state-required tests for teacher candidates on track to complete their teacher preparation programs.

Diana Lambert

May 28, 2020

Schools should encourage but not require students to wear face covering, draft guidance says

Draft interim guidance on the reopening of schools allows for flexibility on multiple issues and stresses local

Louis Freedberg

May 28, 2020

California needs $500 million to buy enough computers, internet connections for all students

Distance learning expected to continue next year as districts move to a hybrid online and in-person instruction model.