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.
California Community Colleges
February 20, 2008 - The Governor’s proposed budget for the California Community Colleges would fund 1 percent enrollment growth and make across-the-board reductions to categorical programs. We offer an alternative to the Governor’s proposal that includes funding for 1.7 percent growth and no across-the-board reductions. Our proposal includes more total resources for CCC by augmenting student fee revenue, which would supplement Proposition 98 support. In addition, our alternative plan increases fiscal and program flexibility for districts to meet local needs by consolidating several categorical programs into two block grants.
Addressing the Local Impacts of Campus Growth
February 20, 2008 - As a result of a recent State Supreme Court decision, the higher education segments and other state agencies may need to reconsider how their growth plans affect surrounding communities and whether they should provide payments to local agencies for infrastructure improvements. We provide an overview of the higher education segments’ environmental review process, discuss the Court’s decision and its implications, and offer our recommendations to the Legislature on how to address the local impacts of campus expansion. review infrastructure
LAO Alternative Higher Education Budget Proposal
February 20, 2008 - We recommend an alternative to the Governor’s proposal that avoids making unallocated reductions and adheres to the State Master Plan for Higher Education. Our alternative would fund anticipated enrollment growth at the three segments. It would also modestly increase the share of education cost paid by students, while increasing financial aid to cover these higher costs for financially needy students.
Governor’s Higher Education Budget Solutions
February 20, 2008 - The Governor’s budget proposal for higher education includes large, unallocated reductions to the universities and the elimination of a key financial aid program. Taken together, these proposals could have a significant effect on college access and affordability.
K-12 COLA Index
February 20, 2008 - The current index used to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for K-12 programs is not a particularly good indicator of increases in school costs. The Governor proposes to switch to a new index. Instead, we recommend the Legislature modify the current K-12 COLA index to focus on projected compensation cost increases.
K-12 Categorical Reform
February 20, 2008 - We recommend the Legislature consolidate 43 K-12 categorical programs (totaling $42 billion) into a base grant and three supplemental block grants. Categorical reform of this magnitude would offer districts multiple benefits--including a simplified, streamlined, more transparent funding system; greater ability to focus on student success rather than program compliance; and, perhaps most relevant in tight fiscal years, greater latitude to use available funds to address critical local needs.
Proposition 98 Priorities
February 20, 2008 - We offer an alternative to the Governor’s Proposition 98 budget proposal. Under the alternative, K-12 schools and community colleges would receive roughly the same amount of ongoing program support in 2008-09 as in the current year ($57.7 billion). As part of the alternative, we recommend funding certain core costs while obtaining savings from programs that are duplicative, poorly structured, or technically overbudgeted.
Special Session Guide to Building the Current-Year Proposition 98 Budget
- Format:
January 24, 2008 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
Overview of the Governor’s 2008‑09 Budget Proposal for the California Community Colleges
- Format:
January 23, 2008 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
Special Session Guide to Building the Proposition 98 Budget
- Format:
January 22, 2008 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 On Education Finance
Redefining Student Data Access Policy
January 17, 2008 - Existing state and federal laws will limit the ability of California to use the state’s new longitudinal student data system once it is completed in 2010. To ensure the full benefits of the new system can be achieved, we recommend the state adopt a new data access policy, expanding the capacity of instructors and policy makers to use student data to improve instruction while preserving student privacy protections.
Overview of Governor’s Proposition 98 Budget Proposal
- Format:
January 16, 2008 - Presented to Legislative staff and education community.
Overview of Proposition 1D: K-12 School Facilites
- Format:
December 13, 2007 - Presented to: Assembly Education Committee
K-12 School Facilities: Issues for Legislative Consideration
- Format:
December 13, 2007 - Presented to: Assembly Education Committee
California’s Fiscal Outlook: Proposition 98 Briefing
- Format:
November 15, 2007 - Presented to Legislative staff and education community.