Report Assessing Transitional Kindergarten’s Impact on Elementary School Trajectories By Julien Lafortune, Laura Hill Oct 23, 2023 California’s Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program provides an early year of schooling within the K–12 system. Launched a decade ago with limited eligibility, TK will soon be open to all four-year-olds. Taking stock of the program’s impact so far—especially among multilingual and special education students—can help TK expansion succeed.
Report Students with Disabilities and California’s Special Education Program By Stephen Lipscomb Jan 29, 2009 Students with disabilities are entitled by law to free, appropriate special education services, and in 2006–07, more than 10 percent of California’s total school enrollment used these services, at a cost of about $9.3 billion. This report provides basic information about California’s students with disabilities and its special education programs. It examines disability rates and trends, the educational environment, student performance on state assessments, and California’s financial commitment to special education, including detailed information about spending activity and the funding process.
blog post Testimony: Special Education Finance in California By Paul Warren Mar 28, 2019 Research associate Paul Warren discusses rising school district costs for special education as well as options for strengthening state funding in this area.
Report Special Education Finance in California: A Decade After Reform By Stephen Lipscomb Aug 12, 2009 Special education accounted for more than 16 percent—$9.3 billion—of K–12 spending in 2006–07. An extensive reform of special education financing in California about a decade ago sought to improve the way the state funds education for the disabled, who make up about 10 percent of public school students. Did reform achieve its goals? In large part, yes—but more can be done. The author suggests that to realize reform’s equity goals, policymakers could equalize base funding rates and make adjustments for local conditions such as numbers of low-income students and regional labor market wage levels. This report was funded with support from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Report Factors and Future Projections for K–12 Declining Enrollment By Julien Lafortune, Emmanuel Prunty Dec 11, 2023 Over the past five years, enrollment has fallen in nearly three-quarters of California school districts, and the trend is expected to continue into the next decade. Faster declines could bring pressure to close schools, along with concerns about the students and neighborhoods bearing the costs of downsizing.
Report Dual Enrollment in California By Olga Rodriguez, Niu Gao Oct 18, 2021 Dual enrollment provides opportunities for high school students to take college courses and earn college credit. The pandemic has fueled a nationwide surge in participation, and equity-centered legislation has raised dual enrollment’s profile in California. As dual enrollment expands, state leaders can take steps to promote equitable access and outcomes.
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.
Fact Sheet College Access in California By Iwunze Ugo Dec 4, 2023 About three in five Californians enroll in college right after high school. But whether—and where—high school graduates attend college varies across regions and demographic groups.
blog post K–12 Education and the New State Budget By Radhika Mehlotra Jul 15, 2019 Spending on K-12 education in California reaches a new high, though some key long-term funding issues remain.