Education

Overview of K-12 and Early Education May Revision Proposals

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May 25, 2020 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education

Overview of May Revision K-12 and Early Eduction Proposals

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May 18, 2020 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 On Education Finance Hon. Kevin McCarty, Chair

COVID-19: Federal and State Actions Affecting K-12 Education and Child Care

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May 14, 2020 - In this post, we discuss actions the federal and state governments have taken to assist K-12 schools and child care providers in responding to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

COVID-19 Fiscal Effects on Schools

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April 26, 2020 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance Hon. Kevin McCarty, Chair

State Budget Effects of Recent Federal Actions to Address COVID-19

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April 5, 2020 - In recent weeks Congress has passed legislation that has directed funding to respond to the coronavirus emergency. This post discusses how some of the major pieces of funding could affect the state budget’s overall condition. In particular, we focus on how funding could help the state address some of the sources of a budget problem that could emerge as a result of the coronavirus emergency.

Update on State and School District Reserves

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April 5, 2020 - As the public health crisis related to COVID-19 has unfolded, the possibility of the state facing a budget problem seems increasingly likely. One key tool to address a budget problem is budget reserves. This post assesses the current reserve situation of the state and school districts—whose funding largely depends on the state.

The 2020-21 Budget: Governor’s Fiscal Oversight Proposals

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March 19, 2020 - In this post, we provide background on fiscal oversight of school districts in California, describe the Governor’s proposals to augment oversight and reporting requirements related to school district budgets, assess those proposals, and provide associated recommendations.

The 2020-21 Budget: Governor’s Computer Science Proposals

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March 10, 2020 - In this post, we analyze the Governor’s proposals to increase the capacity of school districts to teach computer science. We first provide background on computer science in California schools, then describe the Governor’s proposals, assess the proposals, and offer associated recommendations.

Excess ERAF: A Review of the Calculations Affecting School Funding

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March 6, 2020 - This report focuses on a state law enacted in the 1990s that shifts some of the property tax revenue in certain counties from schools and community colleges to other local agencies. For historical reasons, the shifted revenue is known as “excess ERAF.” (The acronym refers to the local accounts—known as Educational Revenue Augmentation Funds—that facilitate the shift.) We recently found that some counties are calculating excess ERAF in ways that seem contrary to state law and shift too much property tax revenue from schools to other agencies. We have three specific concerns related to the calculation of excess ERAF that together affect about $350 million in annual property tax revenue. Earlier this year, the Newsom administration began to address one of these concerns. In this report, we recommend the Legislature direct the administration to enforce state law on our other two concerns. We also recommend improving oversight to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

Overview of Proposition 98 Budget Proposals

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March 5, 2020 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance

Overview of Governor’s Special Education Proposals

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March 5, 2020 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 On Education Finance

Overview of Proposition 98 Budget and Early Education Proposals

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March 4, 2020 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance

The 2020-21 Budget: Proposition 98 Education Analysis

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February 24, 2020 - In this report, we assess the Governor’s overall Proposition 98 budget and his specific proposals for K-12 education. Of the $3.7 billion in new Proposition 98 funding for 2020-21, the budget dedicates $2 billion for one-time initiatives and $1.7 billion for ongoing augmentations. Nearly all of the ongoing funding is to cover an estimated 2.29 percent cost-of-living adjustment for various K-14 programs. Total K-12 funding per student would grow to $12,619 in 2020-21, an increase of $499 (4.1 percent) over the revised 2019-20 level. Most of the one-time proposals in the Governor’s budget seek to address longstanding issues in K-12 education. Many of the proposals, however, seem unlikely to have much long-term effect on these issues. We also are concerned that many proposals are missing important details regarding how the funds would be spent. We recommend the Legislature reject most of these proposals, freeing up more than $1 billion in Proposition 98 funding. We think the Legislature should consider using the freed-up funds to provide fiscal relief to districts. Although the Legislature has various options for providing fiscal relief, we think making additional payments toward districts’ unfunded pension liabilities would offer the greatest fiscal benefit. Paying down these liabilities would improve the funding status of the pension systems and likely reduce district costs over time.

Correction 2/26/20: Corrected reference to the cost of the Governor’s education workforce proposals.

Narrowing California’s K-12 Student Achievement Gaps

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January 31, 2020 - In response to concerns over K‑12 student achievement gaps, the Legislature tasked our office with convening a work group on the topic and submitting a report. The required report needed to: (1) examine data on K‑12 student achievement gaps, (2) identify funding provided for disadvantaged and low‑performing students, (3) assess existing state efforts to serve these students, and (4) develop options for better supporting these students. This report responds to these requirements.

High School Career Technical Education

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January 29, 2020 - Presented to: Assembly Education Committee