Education Publications

The 2019-20 Budget: Governor's Proposals for Infants and Toddlers With Special Needs

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February 28, 2019 - In this report, we evaluate three Governor's budget proposals related to early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs. These include: (1) $60 million ongoing (split between Proposition 56 tobacco tax revenues and federal Medicaid funding) to provide supplemental payments to physicians who screen children covered by Medi-Cal for developmental delays, (2) four new positions (at a cost of $446,000 General Fund) to increase state oversight of Regional Center early intervention services, and (3) possible forthcoming trailer bill language to improve transitions for children aging out of early intervention services and into preschool special education. We recommend rejecting the proposed supplemental payments and approving the other two proposals and further recommend the Legislature consider broader reforms to address longstanding weaknesses in the state's early intervention system.

Update (3/4/19): Figure 3 totals adjusted.

California's Education System: A 2019 Guide

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February 6, 2019 - This report is a visual guide that covers every major area of California’s education system, with chapters on early education, K-12 education, adult precollegiate education, undergraduate education, graduate education, and education facilities. Throughout the report, we rely almost entirely upon state and federal government data sources and cite the most readily available data. Within each chapter, we tend to focus on the students who are served, the state programs designed to serve them, the funds supporting those programs, how program funding is spent, and what is known about outcomes in that area. As you journey through the report, you will be exposed to information on everything from student diversity and achievement gaps, to student aid and borrowing, to faculty salaries and rising pension costs, to the requirements for becoming a teacher or doctor in California. We hope the report is a helpful reference guide for you.

The 2019-20 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

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January 14, 2019 - This report presents our office’s initial assessment of the Governor’s Budget. The budget’s position continues to be positive. With $20.6 billion in discretionary resources available, the Governor’s budget proposal reflects a budget situation that is even better than the one our office estimated in the November Fiscal Outlook. The Governor’s Budget allocates nearly half of these discretionary resources to repaying state liabilities. Then, the Governor allocates $5.1 billion to one-time programmatic spending, $3 billion to reserves, and $2.7 billion to ongoing spending. Although the Governor’s allocation to discretionary reserves represents a smaller share of resources than recent budgets, the Governor’s decision to use a significant share of resources to pay down state debts is prudent. The Governor’s ongoing spending proposal is roughly in line with our November estimate of the ongoing capacity of the budget under an economic growth scenario. This was just one scenario, however. Recent financial market volatility indicates revenues could be somewhat lower than either we or the administration estimated.

Child Care Attendance Records: Comparing Paper and Electronic Processes

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December 12, 2018 - The Supplemental Report of the 2018-19 Budget Act required our office to identify the pros and cons of Alternative Payment agencies using a paper versus electronic process to collect monthly child care attendance records. This report fulfills this requirement.

Cal Facts 2018

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December 6, 2018 - With a state as big, as populous, and as complex as California, quickly summarizing how its economy or state budget works is impossible. Instead, Cal Facts is a visual guide—using a variety of different charts—to the state's economy, revenues, and major program trends.

Child Care and Preschool: Overview of Programs and Budget Proposals

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April 5, 2018 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance

The 2018-19 Budget: Child Care Programs—Analysis of Governor’s Hold Harmless Rate Proposal

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March 19, 2018 - In this post, we first provide background on the reimbursement rate used for certain child care providers. We then describe and assess the Governor’s related hold harmless provision and end by making associated recommendations.

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.

Overview of Child Care and Preschool Conference Issues

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June 2, 2017 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee

Programs to Improve Quality of Child Care and Preschool

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April 6, 2017 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review—Subcommittee No. 1 on Education and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review—Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services

Child Care and Preschool: Governor’s Policy Proposals

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April 6, 2017 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review—Subcommittee No. 1 on Education and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review—Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services

Child Care and Preschool: Overview of Programs and Budget Proposals

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April 6, 2017 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review—Subcommittee No. 1 on Education and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review—Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services

Child Care and Preschool: Overview of Programs and Budget Proposals

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April 4, 2017 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Programs to Improve Quality of Child Care and Preschool

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April 4, 2017 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

Child Care and Preschool: Governor’s Policy Proposals

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April 4, 2017 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance