blog post Public Preschools Support Education, Work By Caroline Danielson, Monica Bandy May 23, 2016 As policymakers discuss California’s system of early childhood care and education, it is useful to look more closely at the families who use it—or might like to.
blog post Video: Californians’ Views of K–12 Education By Linda Strean Apr 26, 2016 Most Californians say state funding for their local public schools is inadequate, and most favor ballot proposals likely to increase it, according to PPIC’s 12th annual survey on Californians and education.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, David Kordus Apr 20, 2016 Some findings of the current survey: Most Californians say that state funding for local schools is inadequate; solid majorities favor a Proposition 30 income tax increase extension and state and local school bonds. Democrats and Republicans are divided on the Common Core standards. Still, a majority of Californians are confident that Common Core will help prepare students for college and careers. While few Californians have heard of the Local Control Funding Formula, a solid majority are supportive after being read a short description of the policy. Californians are concerned about preschool affordability; most favor using some of the state budget surplus to fund early childhood education programs. Crosstabs: All Adults [PDF] Likely Voters [PDF] Time Trends: All Adults [PDF] Likely Voters [PDF] The survey was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment, the Silver Giving Foundation, and the Stuart Foundation.
press release Seeing Need for School Funding, Most Favor Proposition 30 Extension, Construction Bond Apr 20, 2016
Fact Sheet Californians and Early Childhood Education By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, David Kordus Apr 20, 2016
Report Low-Income Students and School Meal Programs in California By Caroline Danielson Mar 12, 2015 School nutrition programs help improve nutrition among vulnerable children. In so doing, they help build a better future for these children and the state. Now that California is implementing the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), there is additional reason to make sure all students who are eligible for free or low-cost meals enroll in these programs. Along with English Learners and foster youth, low-income students—in other words, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals—are targeted for additional funds under the LCFF. This renewed focus on enrollment could also prompt further consideration of participation in school nutrition programs. This report looks at factors that might be linked to variations in student enrollment and participation in free or reduced-price meals. Not surprisingly, we find that districts with higher poverty rates identify higher levels of eligibility than wealthier districts. Low-income high school students appear to be enrolled at levels comparable to younger students, but students in elementary school districts are much more likely to participate in lunch programs than students in other types of districts. We also find that schools in districts with higher shares of foreign-born residents have modestly lower participation levels (but not identification of low-income students). Finally, we find evidence that schools with smaller enrollments are more successful than larger schools at identifying and serving low-income students. One way to further the goal of full enrollment among low-income students is to cut the large share of low-income students who must submit applications for free or reduced-price meals. Achieving this objective is arguably an important part of a larger state effort to integrate social safety net programs and services.
event Statewide Survey: Californians and Education Apr 24, 2014 About the Program The 10th annual PPIC Statewide Survey on Californians and Education examines views on two major changes to the state's K–12 system: the Common Core State Standards and the Local Control Funding Formula. It also measures support for universal preschool and tracks opinions of educational quality and state and local school funding. PPIC researcher Sonja Petek will discuss these and other important findings. This study was conducted with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the Silver Giving Foundation, and the Stuart Foundation. SPEAKER Sonja Petek, research associate, PPIC
press release Special Survey Of The Central Valley: Bad Air Days! Air Quality, Traffic, Other Growing Pains Hit Fast-Changing Central Valley Jun 27, 2006
press release Special Survey On Education: Californians Rip State Of K-12 Education, But Won’t Put Their Money Where Their Angst Is Apr 27, 2006
