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California's Education System:
A 2019 Guide

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.

Report

LAO Alternative Higher Education Budget Proposal

February 19, 2003 - The Governor proposes a 9.8% General Fund saving in higher education. We outline the main features of an alternative that accomplishes this for the University of California, the California State University, and the Student Aid Commission.

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

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.

Report

Partnership for Excellence

February 20, 2002 - We recommend that the Legislature either end or modify the Partnership for Excellence (PFE) experiment, which provides supplementary funding to community colleges in exchange for their commitment to improve certain student outcomes.

Report

The University of California's K-12 Outreach Programs

February 20, 2002 - The state administers a number of K-12 outreach programs that focus on preparing students from disadvantaged backgrounds for college. We find that for a variety of reasons these programs may not be achieving their goals. We review these programs and recommend steps for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.

Report

Expand Competitive Cal Grant Programs by Pooling State Funds

February 20, 2002 - We recommend expansion of the competitive Cal Grant programs by redirecting state funds from certain financial aid programs at the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU). This would help create a statewide financial aid system that is more efficient and objective.

Report

Student Fee Policy Needed

February 20, 2002 - We recommend that the Legislature enact in statute a consistent fee policy that provides for an appropriate sharing of educational costs between students and the state, and which preserves student access to higher education.

Report

K-14 Education Priorities Proposition 98

February 20, 2002 - A crucial issue is posed for the Legislature by a potential General Fund increase needed for Proposition 98 of about $825 million. We discuss ways for the Legislature to act strategically in response to this challenge, in order to minimize impacts on non-Proposition 98 programs, yet still meet important K-14 education priorities.

Report

Funding Higher Education Capital Outlay

February 20, 2002 - We recommend the Legislature provide funding for higher education capital outlay based on statewide priorities and criteria, using reasonable construction cost guidelines, and based on year-round operation. We also recommend the Legislature consider the extent to which existing buildings at a campus are underutilized when making capital outlay funding decisions, and consider UC research revenue as a primary source of funding for UC research facilities.

Report

Analysis of the 2002-03 Budget Bill, Education Chapter

February 20, 2002 - Analysis of the 2002-03 Budget Bill, Education Chapter

Report

Analysis of the 2002-03 Budget Bill, Capital Outlay Chapter

February 20, 2002 - Analysis of the 2002-03 Budget Bill, Capital Outlay Chapter

Report

Building Standards in Higher Education

January 31, 2002 - We find that three key types of building standards are not being used uniformly by the three segments of higher education. This has resulted in construction costs that are higher than necessary and possible over-statement of facilities needs. As a result, we recommend various improvements to make standards more useful to the Legislature.

Report

The Cal Grant Program

February 21, 2001 - We describe the Cal Grant Program which is providing grant aid to over 152,000 college and vocational education students in 2000-01.

Report

Part-Time Faculty Issues: Changing the Focus to Education Outputs

February 21, 2001 - We recommend the Legislature provide local community college districts with the authority to allocate faculty resources to meet local campus needs, while it continues to hold districts accountable for improving student outcomes.