January 2018

K-12 Education

New Workload and Funding for the California Department of Education

2018-19 Governor's Budget (In Thousands)

Workload Proposal    Funding   Recommendation and Rationale
Federal Funds        
Provide technical assistance to adult education programs newly integrating literacy, job training, and career technical education. Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title II funds (ongoing).a   $1,030   Approve. Helps CDE comply with federal law and undertake greater associated workload.
Establish new unit to respond to public information requests associated with special education litigation. Federal IDEA funding (ongoing).   625   Approve. Over the years, this workload has grown notably and CDE has redirected program staff to handle the requests. The new unit would dedicate staff exclusively to this work, returning existing program staff to their primary duties of program oversight and technical assistance.
State Fundsb        
Hire external consultants and cover travel and other costs incurred in developing or revising content standards for several academic subjects (one time). Pursuant to Chapter 876 of 2014 (AB 1539, Hagman) for computer science; Chapter 327 of 2016 (AB 2016, Alejo) for ethnic studies; Chapter 643 of 2016 (AB 2290, Santiago) for world language; and Chapter 647 of 2016 (AB 2862, O'Donnell) for visual and performing arts.   $938   Approve. Helps CDE implement recent legislation.
Accommodate rising salary and pension costs at California School Information Services (CSIS).   700   Approve. CSIS has not had its operational funding increased the past six years and its reserves are nearly depleted.
Provide training to State Preschool contractors, monitor additional contracts, and undertake other administrative work associated with recent State Preschool slot increases.   293   Approve. Additional slots provided over the last few years has increased administrative workload.
Help oversee information security and privacy.   143   Approve. Helps keep certain data secure, including CDE staffing data and some education program data.
Expand capacity for reviewing and providing technical assistance for district reorganizations.   131   Approve. Helps CDE respond to increase in workload.
Expand capacity to audit schools for compliance with state non-discrimination laws. Pursuant to Chapter 493 of 2017 (AB 699, O’Donnell).   128   Reject. Legislation does not notably increase CDE’s workload.
Undertake additional monitoring activities to ensure school districts are complying with a new state law that uses Medi-Cal eligibility lists as the means for directly certifying children as eligible for federally subsidized school meals. Pursuant to Chapter 724 of 2017 (SB 138, McGuire).   108   Approve. Helps CDE implement recent legislation.
Total   $4,096    
         
a Provides $645,000 in additional authority for state operations and shifts $385,000 currently used for local assistance to state operations.
b Funded by Non-Proposition 98 General Fund (ongoing), unless otherwise indicated.
IDEA = Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.