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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

Mental Health Services for Students: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 26, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education

Handout

LAO Recommendations on Governor’s Proposal to Eliminate CPEC

May 25, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Handout

Overview of Child Care and Development Budget

May 25, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance

Handout

Overview of Child Care and Development Budget

May 25, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Handout

Proposition 98: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 24, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance

Handout

Education Data Systems: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Handout

Proposition 98: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Handout

Mental Health Services for Students: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services

Handout

K-14 Mandates: Governor’s May Revision Proposal

May 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Report

An Analysis of Court School Cost Pressures

May 10, 2011 - In 2010-11, several County Offices of Education (COEs) reported difficulties balancing their court school budgets. Partly due to the concerns they raised, the Supplemental Report of the 2010-11 Budget Act directed our office to (1) assess whether county court schools have access to an appropriate array of categorical funds and (2) compare court school funding with funding rates for other alternative programs. Our review indicates that COEs, which allot funding to county court schools, generally have access to an appropriate array of categorical funds. Although access to categorical funds does not appear to be a problem, we did identify local cost pressures that could explain why some COEs are having difficulty balancing their court school budgets. While the state’s options for affecting these local decisions are limited, the state could take actions to reduce cost pressures on court schools. We also recommend the state standardize per-pupil funding rates across its alternative education funding system, which could also help COEs manage their court school budgets.

Other

Webcast: How Small Is Too Small? An Analysis of School District Consolidation

May 2, 2011 - In this webcast (approximately 10 minutes), analyst Rachel Ehlers discusses the LAO report "How Small Is Too Small? An Analysis of School District Consolidation."

Report

How Small Is Too Small? An Analysis of School District Consolidation

May 2, 2011 - In this report, we investigate the competing claims made in support and opposition of combining smaller school districts into larger districts. We find some small districts’ spending patterns and student performance differ slightly from larger districts, but very small districts have notable and troubling differences. We also find that substantial funding advantages and certain disincentives keep small districts from opting for consolidation. Our analysis suggests the state should not pursue a one-size-fits all approach for district configuration or require all small school districts to consolidate, but it does suggest the state should remove existing disincentives. To increase efficiencies and accountability, we also recommend the state increase the minimum size for districts to at least 100 students.

Handout

Review of Budget Reduction Options for Higher Education

April 14, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee

Presentation

The 2011-12 State Education Budget

April 11, 2011 - Presented at CASBO 2011 Annual Conference (April 7, 2011).

Handout

Overview of School District Finance

March 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Committee on Education.