Staff
Sara Cortez
(916) 319-8348
Special Education, Preschool, Child Nutrition, and Facilities
Kenneth Kapphahn
(916) 319-8339
Proposition 98, School District Budgets, School Transportation
Lisa Qing
(916) 319-8306
California Community Colleges
Michael Alferes
(916) 319-8338
Local Control Funding Formula, Charter Schools, Alternative Schools, High School Career Technical Education
Natalie Gonzalez
(916) 319-8320
California State University, Student Financial Aid
Dylan Hawksworth-Lutzow
(916) 319-8308
Child Care, Expanded Learning, Teachers, and Education Technology
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

LAO Alternative Budget For Higher Education

April 3, 2008 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance


Handout

Proposition 98 Overview

March 25, 2008 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education


Handout

Proposition 98 Overview

March 11, 2008 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance


Presentation

FCMAT Broadcast: Overview of the 2008-09 Analysis

February 26, 2008 - Presented With the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) broadcast, "The LAO Analysis of the Governor's Budget, 2008-09." The panel discussion itself can be viewed at http://www.lao.ca.gov/2008/webcasts/ficmat/ficmat_022508.asx


Report

Analysis of the 2008-09 Budget Bill, Education Chapter

February 20, 2008 - Analysis of the 2008-09 Budget Bill, Education Chapter


Report

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.


Report

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


Report

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.


Report

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.


Report

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.


Report

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.


Report

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.


Handout

Special Session Guide to Building the Current-Year Proposition 98 Budget

January 24, 2008 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee


Handout

Overview of the Governor’s 2008‑09 Budget Proposal for the California Community Colleges

January 23, 2008 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance


Handout

Special Session Guide to Building the Proposition 98 Budget

January 22, 2008 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 On Education Finance