blog post Commentary: On California Funding Formula’s 10th Anniversary, Celebrate Progress but Double Down on Fairness By Julien Lafortune, Bruce Fuller Dec 1, 2023 Enacted in 2013, the Local Control Funding Formula shifted state K–12 dollars to increase support for districts serving greater shares of low-income students and English Learners. We look at advances in student performance under this funding approach—and where further work is needed.
blog post How Are School Districts Spending Their LCFF Dollars? By Julien Lafortune Sep 11, 2019 Six years after California revamped K-12 school funding, a PPIC study looks at how effectively dollars are being targeted to the highest-need students.
blog post Video: Targeted K–12 Funding and Student Outcomes By Stephanie Barton Oct 19, 2021 PPIC researcher Julien Lafortune presents new findings on how school districts are using dollars provided through the state’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and the effect on educational outcomes.
Report Special Education Finance in California By Laura Hill, Patrick Murphy, Paul Warren, Iwunze Ugo Nov 28, 2016 California's extensive special education system is costly and complex. By giving districts greater flexibility over special education funding, the state can strengthen transparency, accountability, and local control. This research was supported with funding from the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation and the Stuart Foundation.
blog post Video: Funding Education in California By Stephanie Barton Aug 17, 2023 Ten years ago, California implemented the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) in an effort to improve student outcomes and increase equity. PPIC president and CEO Tani Cantil-Sakauye and a panel of experts—Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary Ben Chida, Assemblymember Josh Hoover, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond—discuss what LCFF has meant for K–12 education and talk about key issues moving forward.
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.
blog post Video: Examining the Reach of Targeted School Funding By Stephanie Barton Sep 22, 2023 All school districts in California saw large funding increases over the past decade, through the Local Control Funding Formula. PPIC researcher Julien Lafortune explores how districts managed these funds—and how they affected student outcomes.
blog post Budget Takes Baby Steps Toward Special Education Reform By Paul Warren Jul 11, 2019 The new California state budget provides substantial new funding for special education while also making changes to the underlying funding model.
blog post More Money, More Challenges for K-12 Schools By Paul Warren Jun 18, 2015 The 2015-16 budget agreement between the legislative leadership and governor provides substantial additional funding for the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which allows the state to implement the formula more quickly.
