Education

Increasing Transparency of County Office of Education Spending

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March 14, 2024 - This report, prepared at the request of the Legislature, makes recommendations primarily intended to increase transparency of operations and activities at county offices of education.

The 2024-25 Budget: California State Library

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March 13, 2024 - This post analyzes the Governor’s January budget proposals for the State Library. The post first provides background on the State Library, then provides an update on the implementation of recent local assistance initiatives. Next, it discusses the Governor’s budget proposals and concludes by providing associated recommendations.

The 2024-25 Budget: College of the Law, San Francisco

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March 5, 2024 - This brief analyzes the Governor’s January budget proposal for the College of the Law, San Francisco (CLSF). The brief first provides background on the law school. It then describes the Governor’s budget proposal and the school’s corresponding plans for 2024‑25. The brief concludes by providing an associated recommendation.

Review of the Funding Determination Process for Nonclassroom-Based Charter Schools

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February 29, 2024 - In this report, we analyze the funding determination process for nonclassroom-based charter schools and make recommendations to improve the process. In addition, we highlight several key issues related to oversight of charter schools and provide recommendations for the Legislature to consider. This report is in response to a request of the Legislature. Chapter 48 of 2023 (SB 114, Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review) required the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team to identify and make recommendations to improve the funding determination process for nonclassroom-based charter schools, including recommendations for enhancing oversight and reducing fraud, waste, and abuse.

Update (3/1/24): Figure 6 updated to correct number of districts that are between one and ten times the district's ADA.

The 2024-25 Budget: Proposition 98 Overview and K-12 Education

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February 29, 2024 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance

The 2024-25 Budget: California Student Aid Commission

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February 29, 2024 - In this brief, we discuss the Governor’s budget proposals for the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship programs—the largest two programs administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). We also revisit recent CSAC one-time initiatives the state has funded.

The 2024-25 Budget: University of California

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February 28, 2024 - In this brief, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for the University of California (UC). We have sections focusing on UC’s core operations and enrollment. We also revisit recent UC one-time initiatives and capital projects the state had funded.

The 2024-25 Budget: Proposition 98 Overview and K-12 Education

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February 27, 2024 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance

The 2024-25 Budget: California Community Colleges

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February 21, 2024 - In this brief, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals relating to community college enrollment, apportionments, and nursing education. In addition, the brief provides a number of recommendations and options to help the Legislature address the large gap between current community college spending and available Proposition 98 funding.

The 2024-25 Budget: California State University

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February 15, 2024 - In this brief, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for the California State University (CSU). We also revisit recent CSU one-time initiatives and capital projects.

The 2024-25 Budget: The Governor’s Proposition 98 Funding Maneuver

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February 15, 2024 - In this brief, we evaluate the Governor’s novel proposal to allow schools to keep $8 billion of cash disbursements above the minimum requirement without recognizing the budgetary impact of those payments.

The 2024-25 Budget: Proposition 98 and K-12 Education

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February 15, 2024 - In this report, we assess the architecture of the Governor’s overall Proposition 98 budget and analyze his major proposals for K-12 education.

The 2024-25 Budget: Higher Education Overview

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January 30, 2024 - In this brief, we provide an overview and initial analysis of the Governor’s higher education budget plan.

Trends in Higher Education: Student Access

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January 23, 2024 - This brief is the first of a six-part series covering higher education trends in California. The first brief focuses on student access. It covers changes in student demographics, admissions, and enrollment levels, among other trends, over the past few decades.

The 2023-24 California Spending Plan: Proposition 98 and K-12 Education

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November 28, 2023 - This post summarizes overall Proposition 98 funding and K-12 education spending in the 2023-24 budget package. It is part of our Spending Plan series, which contains posts focused on each major sector of the state budget.