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California's Education System:
A 2019 Guide

Staff
Jackie Barocio
(916) 319-8333
Child Care, Expanded Learning, School Facilities, and Teachers
Sara Cortez
(916) 319-8348
Special Education, Preschool, and Child Nutrition
Kenneth Kapphahn
(916) 319-8339
Proposition 98, School District Budgets, School Transportation
Lisa Qing
(916) 319-8306
California State University, Student Financial Aid
Paul Steenhausen
(916) 319-8303
California Community Colleges
Ian Klein
(916) 319-8336
University of California; College of the Law, San Francisco; California State Library
Michael Alferes
(916) 319-8338
Local Control Funding Formula, Charter Schools, Alternative Schools, High School Career Technical Education
Edgar Cabral
(916) 319-8343
Deputy Legislative Analyst: K-12 Education
Jennifer Pacella
(916) 319-8332
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Higher Education

Publications

Education

To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.

Handout

State Budget Update

May 19, 2012 - Presented to California School Boards Association

Handout

May Revision Weighted Student Formula Proposal

May 17, 2012 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education

Handout

K-14 Mandates: May Revision Proposal

May 17, 2012 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education

Report

Reforming the State's Transfer Process: A Progress Report on Senate Bill 1440

May 11, 2012 - In an attempt to fundamentally reform the state’s transfer of students between the California Community Colleges (CCC) and the California State University (CSU) system, the Legislature and Governor enacted Chapter 428, Statutes of 2010 (SB 1440, Padilla). The legislation requires community colleges to create two-year associate degrees for transfer. Students who earn such a degree are automatically eligible to transfer to the CSU system as an upper-division (junior) student in a bachelor’s degree program. Our review finds that since the legislation was enacted, CCC and CSU have made some progress, but additional work needs to be done by both segments to achieve SB 1440's intended goals. For their part, community colleges need to increase the number of associate degrees for transfer they make available to students. It is incumbent on CSU, meanwhile, to maximize the number of academic programs to which these degrees can be applied. Toward these ends, we recommend the Legislature provide additional guidance and clarification to CCC and CSU on their responsibilities, as well as continued oversight to track their progress.

Handout

State Oversight of Private Postsecondary Education

May 9, 2012 - Presented to Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review

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Overview of Migrant Education Program

May 8, 2012 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Handout

Overview of Migrant Education Program

May 3, 2012 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education

Report

Year-Three Survey: Update on School District Finance in California

May 2, 2012 - This report summarizes findings from our third annual finance survey of California public school districts. Survey responses indicate that districts have experienced notable changes as a result of recent budget reductions, including a smaller workforce, larger class sizes, shorter school years, and less extensive programmatic offerings. Given the slow pace at which the economy is recovering, combined with uncertainty over the outcome of the November election, school districts indicate they are planning for additional reductions in 2012-13. Given these findings, we recommend the Legislature take immediate actions to assist districts in managing their fiscal challenges in 2012-13, as well as initiate long-term improvements to the K-12 funding and accountability systems.

Report

School District Fiscal Oversight and Intervention

April 30, 2012 - This report provides an overview and assessment of the state's comprehensive system for monitoring the fiscal condition of school districts. Under this system, County Offices of Education review the fiscal condition of school districts at several points during the year and provide additional support for districts showing signs of fiscal distress. In the most serious case—when a district no longer appears able to meet its financial obligations—the state provides the district with an emergency loan and assumes administrative control. Our review indicates that the oversight system has been effective in preserving school district fiscal health and preventing districts from requiring an emergency loan. Most notably, during the more than 20 years the new system has been in effect, 8 districts have received emergency state loans whereas 26 districts required such loans in the 12 years prior to the new system. Additionally, the number of districts experiencing fiscal distress has increased in tight budget times, but without a corresponding increase in the number of emergency loans required. This suggests the system’s structure of support and intervention is serving a critical early warning function—allowing districts to get the help they need while fiscal problems tend to be smaller and more manageable. Given its effectiveness, we recommend preserving the existing system, as it has shown to be a vital tool for fostering the ongoing fiscal well-being of districts.

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Overview of Charter Schools and Their Funding

April 26, 2012 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 On Education

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California Community Colleges

April 25, 2012 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

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Overview of Charter Schools and Their Funding

April 24, 2012 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

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Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten

April 12, 2012 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 On Education

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CBO Hot Topics 101: State Economic Outlook

April 11, 2012 - Presented at the CASBO 2012 Annual Conference

Handout

State Budget Update--Presented to 4th District PTA

March 26, 2012 - Presented to 4th District PTA on March 26, 2012.