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.

April 7, 2020

Thousands of California students still without laptops and Wi-Fi for distance learning

State education officials are calling on more companies and individuals to donate laptops and WiFi hotspots for students.

Sydney Johnson

April 6, 2020

Essential workers now eligible for subsidized child care in California

Gov. Newsom issued an executive order that makes it easier to provide child care for the children of essential workers.

Zaidee Stavely

April 6, 2020

In his own words: State superintendent Tony Thurmond on making distance learning work for all students

Says some students "have not checked in at all since March 13 when many of our schools closed."

EdSource Staff

April 3, 2020

California school board meetings go virtual, but not without obstacles

The governor issued an executive order allowing virtual meetings, as long as the public has access.

Theresa Harrington

April 2, 2020

California leaders take on tough assignment: convincing students that school is still in session

County superintendents in Los Angeles and Orange County both recommend closure of schools for remainder of the school year but emphasize schools are still open for learning remotely.

Louis Freedberg

March 31, 2020

California schools chief recommends that schools prepare for distance learning for rest of school year

State Superintendent of Public Instruction stresses that school is not actually over, but that emphasis must be on providing education through distance learning.

Louis Freedberg And John Fensterwald

March 30, 2020

California districts move to extend school closures to beginning of May — at least

School districts are consulting with health authorities in setting closure dates, and increasingly are doing so along with all districts in their counties.

Louis Freedberg

March 30, 2020

In his own words: Eloy Oakley on how California's community colleges are coping with the coronavirus

Chancellor of 115 community colleges says system has "converted nearly 100 percent of the in-person instruction, the general instruction that leads to an associate degree for transfer to some sort of remote learning platform"

EdSource Staff

March 28, 2020

Amid uncertainty, wide variation in how long California schools say they will be closed

Increasingly school districts say they will stay closed at least until the first week of May

Louis Freedberg

March 26, 2020

In her own words: Linda Darling-Hammond on California’s school response to the coronavirus

Darling-Hammond says state will double down to support school districts, families and students.

EdSource Staff

March 18, 2020

California school districts learn more about what state expects during a long shutdown

During a webinar viewed by 7,000 people, state officials encourage innovation to provide service and promise cooperation in weeks ahead.

John Fensterwald

March 17, 2020

Expect California schools to remain closed until summer, governor says

California also will ask the federal government to waive the required standardized tests if and when schools resume session this year.

John Fensterwald

March 16, 2020

Joining other districts, rural schools move to close at a rapid pace in California

Rural schools need to overcome tough challenges in providing distance learning, meals and child care to parents who are unable to care for their children.

Louis Freedberg And Carolyn Jones

March 15, 2020

While California holds off on ordering all schools closed, expected closures escalate rapidly throughout state

Over 90 percent of California students are either out of school now or projected to be in the next few days as rural schools also begin to close in larger numbers.

Louis Freedberg

March 15, 2020

In his own words: Gov. Newsom on why he’s not ordering all California schools to close

Newsom said he’s not ready to override superintendents in mainly small, rural districts that will remain open.