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Trends in Higher Education:
A 2024 Series
Thumbnail - California's Education System: A 2019 Guide

California's Education System:
A 2019 Guide

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.

Report

Assessments

February 19, 2003 - We identify several areas where the Legislature could reduce the assessment burden on school districts while maintaining the state's emphasis on academic content and performance standards: the NRT portion of the STAR program, the primary language test, the Golden State Exams, and the physical fitness test.

Report

Class Size Reduction

February 19, 2003 - We review recent research on class size reduction (CSR) which uncovered three major findings: (1) the effect of CSR on student achievement is inconclusive; (2) California's CSR program contributed to a decline in teacher quality; and (3) California's CSR program generated inequitable distribution of fully qualified teachers.

Report

Basic Aid Districts

February 19, 2003 - We recommend the Legislature approve the Governor's proposal to reduce basic aid payments by $15.3 million in 2002-03 and eliminate them entirely in 2003-04 for a savings of $17.8 million.

Report

Revenue Limits and Discretionary Funds

February 19, 2003 - We recommend that the Legislature (1) not fund revenue limit equalization as proposed by the Governor ($250 million), and (2) delay revenue limit equalization until a year when Proposition 98 can fund growth, cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), and pay off any remaining deferrals.

Report

Proposition 98 Mandates

February 19, 2003 - We recommend that the Legislature increase funding for Proposition 98 mandates by $100 million and include $199 million for school district mandates in our proposed Core Services Block Grant.

Report

Governor's Categorical Program Reform Proposal

February 19, 2003 - We recommend the Legislature consolidate 62 programs into five block grants. Districts would report to the state key fiscal and outcome data on each grant.

Report

K-12 Education Introduction

February 19, 2003 - A discussion of budgetary and enrollment trends in the K-12 Education area.

Report

Proposition 98 Budget-Year Priorities

February 19, 2003 - The Governor's budget offers a reasonable set of solutions for addressing the 2003-04 budget situation. We highlight a number of areas, however, that are worthy of careful consideration and deliberation.

Report

2002-03 Mid-Year Revisions: Proposition 98

February 19, 2003 - Responding to Governor's mid-year budget proposal, the Legislature provided Proposition 98 funding $289 million higher than proposed by the Governor.

Report

Analysis of the 2003-04 Budget Bill, Education Chapter

February 19, 2003 - Analysis of the 2003-04 Budget Bill, Education Chapter

Report

Analysis of the 2003-04 Budget Bill, Capital Outlay Chapter

February 19, 2003 - Analysis of the 2003-04 Budget Bill, Capital Outlay Chapter

Presentation

CalWORKs Stage 3 Child Care

February 11, 2003 - Summary of CalWORKs Stage 3 Child Care.

Handout

Overview of Program Funding for English Language Learners

February 6, 2003 - Assembly Education Informational Hearing on February 5, 2003.

Handout

Overview of Current-Year Proposition 98 Reductions

January 15, 2003 - Background on alternative proposal on current-year reductions.

Other

CPEC: A Review of Its Mission And Responsibilities

January 1, 2003 - Supplemental report language (SRL) of the 2002-03 Budget Act directed the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) to convene a working group to (a) reexamine the California Postsecondary Education Commission’s (CPEC) statutory responsibilities; (b) identify ways that the commission can effectively perform its responsibilities within its budgeted resources; and (c) consider recommendations put forth by the Joint Committee to Develop a Master Plan for Education related to current CPEC functions and the development of a successor agency. This report presents the primary issues identified by the working group and the relevant findings and policy options discussed.