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Thumbnail - Trends in Higher Education: A 2024 Series

Trends in Higher Education:
A 2024 Series
Thumbnail - California's Education System: A 2019 Guide

California's Education System:
A 2019 Guide

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

Evaluating the Governor's Career-Technical Education Proposal

February 1, 2006 - Presented to the Senate Education Committee.

Report

The Progress of English Learner Students: Update 2002-2004

January 26, 2006 - In 2004, we published A Look at the Progress of English Learner Students, which analyzed the 2002 results of the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). This update assesses student performance on the test in 2003 and 2004, concluding that gains made by students in 2003 and 2004 are roughly the same as 2002. We also make two recommendations for steps the Legislature can take to improve the way CELDT data are used.

Handout

Evaluating the Governor's Education Bond Proposal

January 25, 2006 - We review infrastructure proposals in the Strategic Growth Initiative related to K-12 education. Presented to the Assembly Education Committee.

Handout

Proposition 74

September 15, 2005 - Presented to the Assembly Education Committee and Senate Education Committee.

Handout

Charter School Categorical Block Grant Option

May 18, 2005 - Presented to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on May 18, 2005.

Handout

Special Education

May 18, 2005 - Presented to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on May 18, 2005.

Handout

May Revision Changes to Proposition 98

May 17, 2005 - Presented to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on May 17, 2005.

Handout

Cost of Meeting the Chapter 213 Target Under Different Scenarios

May 16, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on May 16, 2005.

Report

Improving High School: A Strategic Approach

May 9, 2005 -
This paper summarizes our recent report on the success and shortcomings of high schools in California. High school represents a critical phase in the educational development of K-12 students. Our report examines high schools through the lens of three groups of high school students.

Our Findings
Dropouts (Students Who Fail to Graduate). About 30 percent of the entering ninth grade class fails to graduate on time. Research and data suggest that the factors leading to student dropouts are in place by the time students enter ninth grade. Despite decades of trying, research has not identified programs or services that consistently reduce dropout rates.
The "General" Track (Students Who Graduate Without Qualifying for a Four-Year University). This includes about 45 percent of entering ninth grade students. About one-half of this group attends college after graduation and the other one-half enters the labor force. Research and data indicate that many in this group do not have clear postgraduation goals, which prevents these students from using high school most effectively to make a smoother transition to adult life.
The "University" Track (Students Who Graduate and Qualify for Admission to the State’s Public Four-Year Universities). These students account for about one-quarter of entering ninth grade students. Entering college freshmen frequently lack the English or mathematics skills required for study at the university level. Higher education admissions and placement policies contribute to the problem, as they fail to clearly communicate the skill levels needed for success in college.
Our Recommendations
Despite considerable differences in the problems facing these groups, several themes emerge in our recommendations that are consistent across the groups. Our recommendations address the problems experienced by high school students by strengthening accountability, improving information, and increasing flexibility.
Accountability
We recommend the Legislature "fine tune" accountability programs by:
  • Adjusting existing accountability programs to focus more attention on the needs of students who are likely to drop out of school.
  • Establishing accountability for improving student transitions to college and work.
  • Aligning K-12 and higher education standards by using Standardized Testing and Reporting scores as admissions data for the University of California and the California State University.
Information
We also suggest several ways the Legislature could employ information to help make high schools more responsive to student needs by:
  • Obtaining accurate dropout data by school and district within two years.
  • Evaluating state supplemental instruction and social promotion programs for elementary and middle school students.
  • Providing additional information and choices to help parents and students use high school to reach student goals for work and school.
Flexibility
Flexibility also is a theme of our report. Improvements could be made by:
  • Encouraging schools to provide a greater range of curricular options that respond to the needs and interests of students.
  • Giving districts greater latitude to use existing state and federal resources effectively to meet the needs of students.
The Bottom Line
While many critical factors are outside of the state’s control, we think our recommendations provide a strategic approach for how the state can contribute to improving high schools.

Presentation

Fiscal Overview

May 6, 2005 - California City School Superintendents 2004-05 Executive Board Meeting. Budget implications for K-12 education in the coming year.

Handout

Commission on Teacher Credentialing

May 2, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on May 2, 2005.

Handout

Proposition 98: How California Funds K-14 Education

April 21, 2005 - Presented to the Sacramento Economics Roundtable on April 21, 2005.

Handout

K-12 High-Speed Network

April 19, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on April 18, 2005 and to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on April 19, 2005.

Handout

Reading First

April 18, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on April 18, 2005.

Handout

LAO Recommendations on Professional Development Block Grant

April 18, 2005 - Presented to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on April 18, 2005.