Policy Brief Policy Brief: Targeted K–12 Funding and Student Outcomes By Julien Lafortune, Stephanie Barton Oct 6, 2021 Under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), more money now reaches high-need districts, and these districts spend most of that money on schools with greater need. Students are seeing some benefits from the LCFF, as seen in higher test scores, though disparities by student income, race, and language status remain large.
Report Strengthening Local K–12 Accountability: The Role of County Offices of Education By Paul Warren Aug 10, 2016 Strengthening the role of county offices could help bolster the state’s school improvement and support system. By clarifying county office authority to oversee district accountability plans and work with underperforming districts, the state can give the new accountability process its best chance of improving student outcomes in California. This research was supported with funding from the Stuart Foundation.
Report California’s Future: Education By Laura Hill, Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Niu Gao ... Jan 15, 2021 California has begun moving toward a “cradle to career” approach that connects early childhood, K–12, and higher education more closely. But COVID-19 has disrupted learning, funding, and progress toward improving student outcomes and has exacerbated racial and economic equity gaps.
Report California’s K–12 Test Scores: What Can the Available Data Tell Us? By Paul Warren Jun 25, 2018 California’s K–12 system relies on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) English and mathematics tests to measure student academic progress and assess school and district performance. This report uses publicly available data to explore trends in student performance during the first three years this test has been in place.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Nicole Willcoxon Apr 28, 2010 Some findings of the current survey: 62 percent of Californians are very concerned the state budget gap will cause significant spending cuts in K–12 education. Three-fourths (74%) of Californians say that improving education should be a high priority for the next governor. Governor Schwarzenegger’s job approval rating of 24 percent matches his record low, while President Obama’s approval rating stands at 61 percent. Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [PDF]Governor Schwarzenegger [PDF]California State Legislature [PDF] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [XLS]Governor Schwarzenegger [XLS]California State Legislature [XLS] This survey was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Fact Sheet Student Achievement on California’s K–12 Assessments By Iwunze Ugo, Emmanuel Prunty Jun 27, 2023 The results from California’s 2022 Smarter Balanced Assessments suggest that pandemic disruptions to K–12 education reversed nearly six years of academic progress. Declines in proficiency were widespread, but there was substantial variation across grade levels and demographic groups.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Rachel Lawler Apr 24, 2019 Key findings from the current survey include most Californians say charter schools are an important option for parents in low-income areas—but many express concern that charters divert funding from traditional public schools. More than half of residents across regions say teacher salaries in their community are too low. Majorities support Governor Newsom’s spending plans to expand preschool and full-day kindergarten.
Report Student Achievement and Growth on California’s K-12 Assessments By Laura Hill, Iwunze Ugo Apr 26, 2017 California’s school children did much better in the second year of new standardized tests. But a look at results for English Learners and economically disadvantaged students indicates that achievement gaps are not closing. Struggling districts may need more guidance from the state—they might also look to schools and districts that have had success with high-need students. This research was supported with funding from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund.
Report Equitable State Funding for School Facilities By Julien Lafortune, Niu Gao Mar 14, 2022 Most funding for California’s K–12 facilities comes from local tax revenues, which depend on property wealth. State funding could potentially address wealth disparities, but it has disproportionately benefited more-affluent districts. Policymakers should prioritize equity in facility funding so that all students have access to safe and effective learning environments.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Apr 27, 2022 More than four in ten parents say their children have fallen behind academically during the pandemic. While most Californians approve of the way Governor Newsom is handling public K–12 education, many believe its quality has declined over the past few years.
