blog post Trouble Ahead for Local School Ballot Measures? By Mark Baldassare May 1, 2014 There are undercurrents in our new survey that spell trouble ahead for local school ballot measures. In short, the public’s sense that schools are in crisis has diminished.
event Statewide Survey: Californians and Education Apr 23, 2015 About the ProgramPPIC's latest survey looks at Californians' perceptions of major reforms being implemented in the state's public K–12 schools: the Local Control Funding Formula, the Common Core State Standards, and the Smarter Balanced assessments. It also examines concerns about educational inequities and views on school funding and revenues. PPIC researcher Lunna Lopes will outline these and other key findings. This survey 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.
event A Conversation with Candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Aug 24, 2018 California educates more than 6 million children in its K–12 public schools, and education is by far the largest area of state spending. PPIC president Mark Baldassare spoke with Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck, the candidates for state superintendent of public instruction, about their visions for California’s schools.
Report Implementing Local Accountability in California’s Schools: The First Year of Planning By Paul Warren, Giselle Carrillo Mar 12, 2015 The passage of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) in 2013 gave California school districts flexibility in allocating resources and significantly boosted state support for the education of disadvantaged students. LCFF also includes a Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which requires districts to enlist the help of parents and the public in identifying student performance goals and ways to achieve them. Our research in 25 California districts suggests that educators have worked hard to develop the first of these three-year plans, but that knowledge about strategic planning, data-driven decisionmaking, and involving parents and the public in the process varies significantly among districts. As a consequence, the clarity and effectiveness of the initial plans varies widely. The state can help by making technical assistance to districts and county offices of education available and affordable. Our research also indicates that expanding the role of county offices would help them push for improved student performance.
blog post Testimony: How an Integrated Data System Could Improve Education By Jacob Jackson Apr 11, 2018 California needs a statewide integrated longitudinal data system to help evaluate and improve its education system.
blog post Standardized Testing and College Eligibility By Courtney Lee, Jacob Jackson Oct 11, 2018 Many states are encouraging more students to attend college by changing how they use entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT. Where does California stand?
