event Special Education Funding in California Nov 29, 2016 About the ProgramCalifornia's special education system is vast, expensive, and operates under a unique legal framework. Calls for reform are currently focused on improving how this system is organized and financed throughout the state. PPIC researcher Paul Warren will provide an overview of the current system and a panel of experts will discuss pathways toward reform. This research was supported with funding from the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation and the Stuart Foundation.
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.
event Statewide Survey: Californians and Education Apr 20, 2017 About the ProgramPPIC's 13th annual statewide survey on Californians and K–12 education tracks opinions on educational quality and school funding. It also examines views on immigration enforcement and public schools, vouchers and charter schools, early childhood education, and the Local Control Funding Formula. PPIC researcher Lunna Lopes will outline these and other key findings. The survey was supported with funding from the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the Silver Giving Foundation, and the Stuart Foundation.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: District Spending of One-Time Funds for Educational Recovery By Julien Lafortune, Laura Hill, Niu Gao, Joseph Herrera ... Jun 28, 2023 States received billions in one-time stimulus funds to help recover from pandemic disruptions to education. California allocated much of its money to districts based on their shares of low-income students, which largely targeted schools with lower achievement levels rather than greater learning loss.
event Funding Education in California Aug 9, 2023 Ten years ago, California implemented a new funding plan for public K–12 education. The goal of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) was to improve student outcomes and increase equity by providing more resources to districts with larger populations of low-income students, English language learners, and foster youth. How has this funding approach served our students? Following a brief presentation by PPIC research fellow Julien Lafortune, PPIC president and CEO Tani Cantil-Sakauye will moderate a conversation with a panel of experts, including Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of public instruction; Josh Hoover, assemblymember; and Ben Chida, chief deputy cabinet secretary, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Report Understanding the Effects of School Funding By Julien Lafortune May 18, 2022 Funding for California’s K–12 public schools has reached record highs, but gaps in student outcomes remain. Understanding the benefits of additional funds, and how to distribute those funds, are key concerns for policymakers. This report offers insights from a robust body of research on the extent to which higher spending improves outcomes.
blog post Video: The Impact of COVID-19 on Science Education By Mary Severance Aug 19, 2022 PPIC researcher Maria Fay presents findings on how the pandemic has affected California schools’ progress in implementing science education standards, and an expert panel discusses how the state can support equitable investments in science literacy moving forward.
blog post Education Experts Focus on Common Core By Linda Strean Apr 17, 2014 The Common Core Standards are fundamentally altering the way students learn and have generated broad debate nationally. Their implementation in California was the focus of a panel discussion in Sacramento yesterday.