Research/Report
PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education 2018
Public Policy Institute of California
A report based on findings from a statewide survey on K-12 education conducted in 2019 in California.
Topic: School Finance
Tool / Toolkit
Engage for Education Equity: A Toolkit for School Communities on the Every Student Succeeds Act
The Opportunity Institute
A toolkit intended to support organizers, including families and students, as they work with their school communities to understand and engage around the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Framework/Guide
Silent Recession
WestEd
A investigation of why California school districts are underwater despite increases in funding.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Districts Must Do More To Reduce Low-Income Schools’ Share Of Inexperienced, Ineffective Teachers Under New Federal Law
Children Now
An article about California's efforts to address disparities in student achievement and the distribution of experienced and effective teachers in schools, as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Opinion: California Still Lacks School-Spending Transparency
Children Now
An op-ed highlighting the lack of transparency in California's education funding system, particularly concerning money intended to support vulnerable student groups. Calls for a clear and accessible system to track and report how funds are spent to ensure they benefit those who need it most.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
California’s School Plan Fails To Win Feds’ Approval
Children Now
An article discussing the U.S. Department of Education's criticisms of California's plan to improve low-performing schools and use federal education aid, which could lead to negotiations over the plan's implementation and flexibility under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Disappointing But Not Surprising — California’s ESSA Plan Gets Some of The Harshest Feedback Yet From Washington
Children Now
An article describing the criticism from the federal Department of Education regarding California's plan to improve schools under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and highlighting the concerns of parents and advocates about the lack of details and accountability in the plan.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Gov. Brown Proposes Ambitious Education Agenda In His Final State Budget
Children Now
A discussion of California Governor Jerry Brown's proposed education spending in his 2018-19 budget, which included funding to address shortages in special education teachers, connecting career pathways programs with community colleges, and allocating more resources to the state's school accountability system.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
When It Comes To Education Policy, It’s ‘The California Way’ vs. Betsy Devos
Children Now
An article highlighting California's revised plan to satisfy the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was met with criticism from the federal Department of Education, leading to a potential standoff between the state and federal government over education policies and accountability.
Policy Brief/Proposal
Implementing LCFF: Always Room for Improvement
American Institutes for Research
A brief examining the California statewide system of support for local education agencies.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
24 Ideas For Improving The Local Control Funding Formula
Children Now
A collection of recommendations from 24 school leaders, student advocates, legislators, and others for the most important improvements needed to make California's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) for effective, equitable, and truer to its promise.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Jerry Brown’s Dilemma: Fix School Funding Formula Now Or Watch Others Do It Later
Children Now
An article exploring potential improvements to California's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to address criticisms related to fiscal transparency, low funding for basic expenses, and the burden of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).
Policy Brief/Proposal
Ella T. v. State of California: Complaint
Public Counsel
The Complaint for Ella T. vs. State of California, the lawsuit brought by students, parents, and advocacy groups to vindicate the right of all students to access literacy.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Stagnant California Test Scores Pose Problem; State Board May Rejigger How To Rate Districts
Children Now
An article describing the challenge faced by the California State Board of Education as stagnant test results could require hundreds of school districts to seek county assistance due to their failure to raise English language arts and math scores, prompting consideration of changes to the criteria for rating schools and districts to reduce the number of poorly performing districts.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
New Poll: Safe And Positive School Environment More Important Than Higher Test Scores
Children Now
An article discussing the findings of a poll which showed that California voters prioritize creating a safe and positive school environment over higher scores on standardized tests when evaluating school performance, and express concerns about bullying, violence, and harassment on school campuses.
Policy Brief/Proposal
California’s Golden Opportunity: Taking Stock, Leadership from the Middle
Michael Fullan Enterprises Inc.
An information feedback report on the evolution of California's education reform enacted in 2013-2014, which radically redefined the policy direction in education based on the principle of decentralization of resources to local levels, expressed in the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).
Policy Brief/Proposal
Fostering Innovation
American Institutes for Research
A policy and practice brief examining how user-centered design can help the implementation of Local Control Funding Formula.
Tool / Toolkit
Dashboard Training: How to Navigate California’s New Accountability System
Californians for Justice
A training presentation to help lend an understanding of how to use the California School Dashboard to engage in dialogue around district and school data to contribute to shared decision-making.
Tool / Toolkit
Editable Budget Presentation
Education Trust, Inc.
A template PowerPoint presentation for school district administrators to help initiate and facilitate community engagement in budget planning during the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) development process.
Tool / Toolkit
Engaging Stakeholders in the Budget: A Brief Guide for California School and District Leaders
Education Trust, Inc.
A brief guide for California school and district leaders outlining two steps for engaging stakeholders in the school budgeting process.