Report School Resources and the Local Control Funding Formula: Is Increased Spending Reaching High-Need Students? By Julien Lafortune Aug 7, 2019 Six years after state policymakers enacted a new funding formula for California’s public schools, significant additional resources are going to high-need districts. However, allocating resources specifically to high-need students remains a challenge.
Fact Sheet California’s Nutrition Safety Net By Tess Thorman, Patricia Malagon Apr 24, 2024 Millions of Californians participate in more than 15 programs designed to help them access nutritious food; these programs also reduce poverty. CalFresh, the largest nutrition program, provides low-income families with monthly food-buying resources. Other large programs serve pregnant Californians, young children, and K–12 students.
Report Does Diagnostic Math Testing Improve Student Learning? By Julian Betts, Andrew C. Zau, Youjin Hahn Oct 11, 2011 Available to all math teachers in the state, the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) offers course-specific assessments that give teachers timely feedback on their math students’ strengths and weaknesses. This report examines San Diego’s use of MDTP test results to guide the placement of students into appropriate classes or summer school. San Diego’s experiment had positive effects and could provide lessons for other districts in the state. This report was supported with funding from the Donald Bren Foundation. The California Academic Partnership Program also provided support to the authors for related research.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Lunna Lopes Jul 25, 2018 Key findings from the current survey: A majority of likely voters (56%) say the candidates’ environmental positions are very important in determining their vote in the governor’s race (67% of Democrats, 54% of independents, and 33% of Republicans hold this view). Likely voters see drought and water supply as the top environmental issue facing the state, followed by air pollution; a majority (58%) support a water bond on the November ballot. A strong majority of likely voters (69%) say that the effects of global warming have already begun.
Report School Finance By Margaret Weston Nov 14, 2012 There is broad consensus that California's school finance system is inequitable, inadequate, and overly complex. In response to these critiques, this year Governor Jerry Brown proposed an overhaul of our school finance system. Also, two initiatives on the November ballot asked voters to increase education funding through tax increases: voters approved Proposition 30, which was integral to the governor's budget plan, and rejected Proposition 38, a citizens' initiative. Despite the passage of Proposition 30, California faces many school finance challenges. This report provides an overview of the state's school finance system and outlines some longstanding school finance issues that may be in play next year.
Report Does Raising High School Graduation Requirements Improve Student Outcomes? By Niu Gao Feb 23, 2021 The shift to distance learning during the COVID-19 crisis exacerbated inequities in California’s K–12 system, adding urgency to an ongoing discussion about the role of high school graduation policy in improving student outcomes. This report shows that more-rigorous graduation requirements can have a positive and equitable impact on college readiness.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Understanding the Effects of School Funding By Julien Lafortune, Stephanie Barton May 18, 2022 A wide body of recent research offers insights into how and where additional dollars to fund K–12 public schools can improve student outcomes such as test scores and graduation rates. Estimates also reveal how long it may take to close gaps by race and income, based on current trends in funding.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Achieving Universal Broadband in California By Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao, Darriya Starr, Amy Gong Liu Mar 29, 2023 The COVID-19 pandemic spurred historic federal and state investments in broadband. Achieving universal broadband in California will require coordinated efforts among service providers, municipalities, and community organizations to overcome existing barriers and leverage funding opportunities.
Report Academic Progress for English Learners: The Role of School Language Environment and Course Placement in Grades 6-12 By Laura Hill, Julian Betts, Megan Hopkins, Magaly Lavadenz ... Jan 23, 2019 English Learners in middle and high school come from a variety of backgrounds and face unique challenges. The school’s language environment and course placement practices are two factors that may affect their academic and linguistic progress.
Report Rethinking the State-Local Relationship: Corrections By Dean Misczynski Aug 24, 2011 California is pursuing historic changes to its corrections system. Key responsibilities will soon shift from the state to the counties. This report provides an overview of the changes, examines the funding issues, and considers what this shift in responsibility will mean for both state and county government. This report is part of a PPIC series on rethinking the state-local relationship. The series includes: An Overview of Realignment Child Welfare Services K-12 Education Local Economic Development This work is supported by funding from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and by contributions of unrestricted support to PPIC's Donor Circle.
