blog post How COVID-19 Closures May Disrupt Student Learning By Julien Lafortune Apr 2, 2020 It appears increasingly likely that California’s K-12 schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. What could this mean for student learning? And what might be done to reduce the negative effects?
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.
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.
Occasional Paper, Report Funding Formulas for California Schools II: An Analysis of a Proposal by the Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence By Jon Sonstelie, Ray Reinhard, Heather Rose, Ria Sengupta Bhatt Jul 8, 2008 In this paper, the researchers examine a finance system proposed by the Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence which would consolidate a large number of current K-12 revenue programs into two programs: a base program serving the needs of all students, and a targeted program providing supplemental funds for disadvantaged students. This new approach would call for two fundamental changes in current policy: first, the state would have to transfer its revenue authority to local school districts; and second, the state would have to allocate a larger share of K-12 revenues to districts with high proportions of disadvantaged students. Governor's Committee on Education Excellence: Simulation Results (279KB, Excel)
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 Will Students without Home Internet Fall Behind During Coronavirus Shutdowns? By Niu Gao Mar 12, 2020 While most K-12 schools in California have the ability to deliver classes online, disparities in home internet access could put some students at a disadvantage.
Occasional Paper, Report Financing New School Construction and Modernization: Evidence from California By Kim Rueben, Eric J. Brunner Jun 1, 2001 Presented to the Finance & Facilities Working Group - K-12 Education, Joint Committee to Develop a Master Plan for Education - Kindergarten through University, June 28 2001.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Jennifer Paluch, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek Apr 30, 2008 Some findings of the current survey: More than half (53%) of the state’s residents say the quality of K-12 public schools is a major problem. Blacks (72%) and whites (60%) are much more likely than Latinos (42%) and Asians (38%) to say that educational quality is a big problem. But more than half of Californians (54%) give their public schools an A (18%) or B (36%). Among public school parents, 27 percent give an A and 40 percent a B. A strong majority (60%) of Californians choose K-12 public education as the area they would like to protect from budget cuts. This is the 85th PPIC Statewide Survey. It is part of a series covering K-12, higher education, environment, and population issues. This survey includes the responses of 2,502 Californians and is supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
blog post How Have California School Districts Used the Emergency Connectivity Fund? By Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao Dec 4, 2023 The state's school districts have received about $859 million from the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), which supports access to internet connectivity and digital devices. Most of these funds have gone to districts with large proportions of Black, Latino, or low-income students, and the ECF dollars have been used more for connectivity than for devices.
