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.



Handout

K-14 Mandates: Governor’s May Revision Proposal

May 26, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education


Handout

Mental Health Services for Students: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 26, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education


Handout

Proposition 98: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 24, 2011 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance


Handout

Education Data Systems: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance


Handout

Proposition 98: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance


Handout

Mental Health Services for Students: Overview of May Revision Proposals

May 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance and Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services


Handout

K-14 Mandates: Governor’s May Revision Proposal

May 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance


Report

An Analysis of Court School Cost Pressures

May 10, 2011 - In 2010-11, several County Offices of Education (COEs) reported difficulties balancing their court school budgets. Partly due to the concerns they raised, the Supplemental Report of the 2010-11 Budget Act directed our office to (1) assess whether county court schools have access to an appropriate array of categorical funds and (2) compare court school funding with funding rates for other alternative programs. Our review indicates that COEs, which allot funding to county court schools, generally have access to an appropriate array of categorical funds. Although access to categorical funds does not appear to be a problem, we did identify local cost pressures that could explain why some COEs are having difficulty balancing their court school budgets. While the state’s options for affecting these local decisions are limited, the state could take actions to reduce cost pressures on court schools. We also recommend the state standardize per-pupil funding rates across its alternative education funding system, which could also help COEs manage their court school budgets.


Other

Webcast: How Small Is Too Small? An Analysis of School District Consolidation

May 2, 2011 - In this webcast (approximately 10 minutes), analyst Rachel Ehlers discusses the LAO report "How Small Is Too Small? An Analysis of School District Consolidation."


Report

How Small Is Too Small? An Analysis of School District Consolidation

May 2, 2011 - In this report, we investigate the competing claims made in support and opposition of combining smaller school districts into larger districts. We find some small districts’ spending patterns and student performance differ slightly from larger districts, but very small districts have notable and troubling differences. We also find that substantial funding advantages and certain disincentives keep small districts from opting for consolidation. Our analysis suggests the state should not pursue a one-size-fits all approach for district configuration or require all small school districts to consolidate, but it does suggest the state should remove existing disincentives. To increase efficiencies and accountability, we also recommend the state increase the minimum size for districts to at least 100 students.


Presentation

The 2011-12 State Education Budget

April 11, 2011 - Presented at CASBO 2011 Annual Conference (April 7, 2011).


Handout

Overview of School District Finance

March 23, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Committee on Education.


Handout

Aligning Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Materials Adoption Processes With Common Core Standards

March 9, 2011 - Presented to Assembly Education Committee


Handout

Proposition 98: Overview of Conference Issues

February 24, 2011 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee


Handout

The Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Materials Adoption Processes

February 16, 2011 - Presented to the Senate Education Committee. Hon. Alan Lowenthal, Chair.