Policy Brief Policy Brief: Understanding the Effects of School Funding By Julien Lafortune, Stephanie Barton May 18, 2022 A wide body of recent research offers insights into how and where additional dollars to fund K–12 public schools can improve student outcomes such as test scores and graduation rates. Estimates also reveal how long it may take to close gaps by race and income, based on current trends in funding.
Report School Finance By Margaret Weston Nov 14, 2012 There is broad consensus that California's school finance system is inequitable, inadequate, and overly complex. In response to these critiques, this year Governor Jerry Brown proposed an overhaul of our school finance system. Also, two initiatives on the November ballot asked voters to increase education funding through tax increases: voters approved Proposition 30, which was integral to the governor's budget plan, and rejected Proposition 38, a citizens' initiative. Despite the passage of Proposition 30, California faces many school finance challenges. This report provides an overview of the state's school finance system and outlines some longstanding school finance issues that may be in play next year.
blog post School Closures Hamper Monitoring of Child Welfare By Caroline Danielson, Paulette Cha Jun 26, 2020 School closures due to COVID-19 mean that educators are not able to play their critical role in monitoring students’ health, safety, and overall well-being.
blog post Video: Improving Educational Opportunity in California By Mary Severance Oct 30, 2019 How can schools and colleges best prepare students to meet the challenges of the future? Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the state board of education, and Eloy Ortiz-Oakley, chancellor of California’s community colleges, discuss the issues with Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO.
Fact Sheet Public Pensions in California By Radhika Mehlotra, Patrick Murphy Mar 15, 2019 State and local governments face large and growing pension obligations. This fact sheet provides a snapshot of California’s public pensions and liabilities, their impact on local budgets, and policy changes that aim to tackle rising costs.
press release Peer Power: Students’ Classmates Have Greater Effect Than Other Factors on Academic Success Aug 27, 2003
blog post Video: Californians and Education By Stephanie Barton Apr 28, 2020 PPIC’s Mark Baldassare and Alyssa Dykman discuss a new statewide survey that examines a variety of education issues, including concerns about school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.