Staff
- Sara Cortez
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(916) 319-8348
Special Education, Preschool, Child Nutrition, and Facilities - Kenneth Kapphahn
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(916) 319-8339
Proposition 98, School District Budgets, School Transportation - Lisa Qing
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(916) 319-8306
California Community Colleges - Michael Alferes
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(916) 319-8338
Local Control Funding Formula, Charter Schools, Alternative Schools, High School Career Technical Education - Natalie Gonzalez
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(916) 319-8320
California State University, Student Financial Aid - Dylan Hawksworth-Lutzow
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(916) 319-8308
Child Care, Expanded Learning, Teachers, and Education Technology - Edgar Cabral
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(916) 319-8343
Deputy Legislative Analyst: K-12 Education - Jennifer Pacella
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(916) 319-8332
Deputy Legislative Analyst: Higher Education - Florence Bouvet
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(916) 319-8310
University of California; College of the Law, San Francisco; California State Library
Publications
Education
To browse all LAO publications, visit our Publications page.
Update on School District Budgets
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November 16, 2020 - This post provides an update on the fiscal condition of California’s school districts as the state begins the process for developing its 2021-22 budget.
The 2020-21 Spending Plan: Proposition 98 and K-12 Education
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October 29, 2020 - This post summarizes overall Proposition 98 funding and K-12 education spending in the 2020-21 budget package. It is part of our Spending Plan series, which contains posts focused on each major sector of the state budget.
Reopening Schools in California
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October 27, 2020 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
Broadband Internet Access for Distance Learning
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October 14, 2020 - Presented to: Assembly Education Committee Hon. Patrick O’Donnell, Chair and Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Hon. Miguel Santiago, Chair
Overview of K-12 and Early Education May Revision Proposals
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May 25, 2020 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education
Overview of May Revision K-12 and Early Eduction Proposals
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May 18, 2020 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 On Education Finance Hon. Kevin McCarty, Chair
COVID-19: Federal and State Actions Affecting K-12 Education and Child Care
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May 14, 2020 - In this post, we discuss actions the federal and state governments have taken to assist K-12 schools and child care providers in responding to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
COVID-19 Fiscal Effects on Schools
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April 26, 2020 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance Hon. Kevin McCarty, Chair
State Budget Effects of Recent Federal Actions to Address COVID-19
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April 5, 2020 - In recent weeks Congress has passed legislation that has directed funding to respond to the coronavirus emergency. This post discusses how some of the major pieces of funding could affect the state budget’s overall condition. In particular, we focus on how funding could help the state address some of the sources of a budget problem that could emerge as a result of the coronavirus emergency.
Update on State and School District Reserves
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April 5, 2020 - As the public health crisis related to COVID-19 has unfolded, the possibility of the state facing a budget problem seems increasingly likely. One key tool to address a budget problem is budget reserves. This post assesses the current reserve situation of the state and school districts—whose funding largely depends on the state.
The 2020-21 Budget: Governor’s Fiscal Oversight Proposals
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March 19, 2020 - In this post, we provide background on fiscal oversight of school districts in California, describe the Governor’s proposals to augment oversight and reporting requirements related to school district budgets, assess those proposals, and provide associated recommendations.
The 2020-21 Budget: Governor’s Computer Science Proposals
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March 10, 2020 - In this post, we analyze the Governor’s proposals to increase the capacity of school districts to teach computer science. We first provide background on computer science in California schools, then describe the Governor’s proposals, assess the proposals, and offer associated recommendations.
Excess ERAF: A Review of the Calculations Affecting School Funding
March 6, 2020 - This report focuses on a state law enacted in the 1990s that shifts some of the property tax revenue in certain counties from schools and community colleges to other local agencies. For historical reasons, the shifted revenue is known as “excess ERAF.” (The acronym refers to the local accounts—known as Educational Revenue Augmentation Funds—that facilitate the shift.) We recently found that some counties are calculating excess ERAF in ways that seem contrary to state law and shift too much property tax revenue from schools to other agencies. We have three specific concerns related to the calculation of excess ERAF that together affect about $350 million in annual property tax revenue. Earlier this year, the Newsom administration began to address one of these concerns. In this report, we recommend the Legislature direct the administration to enforce state law on our other two concerns. We also recommend improving oversight to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.
Overview of Proposition 98 Budget Proposals
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March 5, 2020 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance
Overview of Governor’s Special Education Proposals
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March 5, 2020 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 On Education Finance