Education

The 2018-19 Budget: Grant Delivery System Replacement

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March 6, 2018 - In this post, we analyze the Governor’s proposal to provide $7.4 million in 2018-19 for the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to contract for a new Grant Delivery System. Below, we first provide background on the Grant Delivery System. We then describe and assess the Governor’s proposal and offer associated recommendations.

Overview of Special Education Funding in California

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February 28, 2018 - Presented to Senate Committee on Education;Assembly Committee on Education;Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education; and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

History of Special Education Funding in California

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February 27, 2018 - This post traces the history of state special education funding in California to better inform conversations about how this funding might be allocated going forward.

Overview of Proposition 98 Budget Proposals

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February 21, 2018 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Overview of High School Career Technical Education

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February 21, 2018 - Presented to Assembly Committee on Education; Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance; Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy; and Assembly Select Committee on Career Technical Education and Building a 21st Century Workforce

The 2018-19 Budget: California Education Learning Lab

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February 15, 2018 - In this report, we first provide background on online education at the California Community Colleges (CCC), California State University (CSU), and University of California (UC). We then describe the Governor’s proposal to create a new intersegmental online program, assess that proposal, and make an associated recommendation.

The 2018-19 Budget: Adult Education Analysis

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February 15, 2018 - In this report, we first provide background on adult education and review the restructuring of adult education that the state embarked on in 2013-14. We then describe the Governor’s two 2018-19 adult education proposals. Next, we assess those proposals and examine various unresolved issues relating to the alignment of adult education policies among community colleges and adult schools. Lastly, we make recommendations relating to the Governor’s proposals and policy alignment.

The 2018-19 Budget: Hastings College of the Law

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February 15, 2018 - In this report, we provide an overview of the Governor’s proposed budget for Hastings College of the Law, describe the school’s proposed spending plan, assess that plan, and offer an associated recommendation.

The 2018-19 Budget: Higher Education Analysis

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February 15, 2018 -

In this report, we analyze the Governor’s higher education budget proposals. We begin by providing an overview of higher education in California. In the next four sections, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for the three public higher education segments and the California Student Aid Commission. In each of these sections, we provide relevant background, describe and assess the proposals, and make associated recommendations. The final section of the report consists of a summary of our recommendations.

In addition to this report, we have three other higher education budget briefs that analyze the Governor’s proposals for adult education, Hastings College of the Law, and the California Education Learning Lab.

Overview of State Governance: K-12 Education

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February 14, 2018 - Presented to Senate Committee on Education and Assembly Committee on Education

The 2018-19 Budget: Proposition 98 Education Analysis

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February 7, 2018 - In this report, we analyze the Governor’s overall Proposition 98 budget package as well as his specific spending proposals for K‑12 education and early education.

K-12 Education in Context

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January 26, 2018 - In this post, we answer many questions legislators and others commonly ask about K-12 education in California. We begin by providing information on the main components of California’s public school system. We then review the state’s K-12 accountability system. Lastly, we explain the basics of school finance in California.

Recent Congressional Action on the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

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January 23, 2018 - Recent Congressional action appropriates funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through federal fiscal year 2022-23. The federal cost share authorized by Congress for the program is higher than what was assumed in the Governor’s budget. These actions reduce estimated General Fund Medi-Cal costs by about $300 million in 2017-18 and about $600 million in 2018-19. As a result, we anticipate the May Revision will reflect $900 million in lower General Fund expenditures, and an equal amount of resources available for any purpose.

Updated 2/9/18: On Friday, February 9, 2018, Congress appropriated additional funding for CHIP through FFY 2026-27 at states' traditional cost share which, in California, is 35 percent. No changes were made to the previous reauthorization of CHIP funding through FFY 2022-23, discussed in this post.

Updated 2/9/18: Figure 1 updated to include Governor's funding assumptions through 2021‑22.

The 2018-19 Budget: Overview of the Governor’s Proposition 98 Budget Package

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January 18, 2018 - The Governor presented his budget package to the Legislature on January 10, 2018. This web post provides an overview and assessment of the largest component of that package—the Proposition 98 budget.

Evaluating California’s System for Serving Infants and Toddlers With Special Needs

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January 4, 2018 - In 2015‑16, California provided early intervention services to about 41,000 infants and toddlers with special needs. These infants and toddlers either have a disability (such as a visual or hearing impairment) or a significant developmental delay (such as not beginning to speak or walk when expected). California’s early intervention system consists of three programs administered by two types of local agencies—schools and regional centers for persons with developmental disabilities. This report provides the first comprehensive analysis of this system since it was established in 1993. The report has three main sections. We first provide background on California’s early intervention system, then assess this system, and conclude by recommending several ways to improve the system.