January 26, 2018 - In this post, we answer many questions legislators and others commonly ask about K-12 education in California. We begin by providing information on the main components of California’s public school system. We then review the state’s K-12 accountability system. Lastly, we explain the basics of school finance in California.
February 15, 2022 - This post provides background on school funding and literacy, describes the Governor’s K-12 early literacy proposals for schools, and offers associated assessments and recommendations to the Legislature.
January 13, 2017 - At key times during the state's budget cycle, we post tables containing important information about the education parts of the budget. This initial January posting reflects the 2017-18 Governor's Budget proposals. The tables cover Proposition 98, K-12 education, child care and preschool, higher education, and student financial aid. We will publish additional tables as we have them available.
March 8, 2016 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
January 21, 2015 - Presented to: Senate Education Committee
April 6, 2018 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
March 19, 2015 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education
July 6, 2016 - What Are Alternative Schools and How Does the State Fund Them? This is one in a set of issue briefs examining important questions about education funding in California. For more, see our EdBasics page.
March 22, 2018 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Finance
April 20, 2017 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education
March 7, 2017 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance
January 1, 2014 - How Are School Districts Funded Under The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)? This is one of a series of issue briefs examining important questions about education funding in California.
April 25, 2019 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Subcommittee No. 1 on Education
February 26, 2025 - In this post, we provide background on the state’s English learner identification process, describe and assess the Governor’s proposal to provide $10 million for a multilingual learner screener in transitional kindergarten, and provide our recommendations to the Legislature.
February 6, 2018 - The Governor’s budget proposes $3.6 million in one-time General Fund in 2018‑19 and $3.3 million in ongoing General Fund to provide California Military Department (CMD) support to two public charter schools, the California Military Institute (CMI) and Porterville Military Institute (PMI). We recommend rejecting the proposed General Fund appropriation, but approving position and associated reimbursement authority for CMD. This should enable CMD to provide support to CMI and PMI if these schools choose to allocate some of their Proposition 98 funds to supplement their staffing with CMD personnel.
January 29, 2021 - In this post, we provide background on school closures and recent funding to address learning loss, describe the Governor’s proposal to allocate $4.6 billion to schools in spring 2021 to address student learning loss caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, assess the proposal, and describe our recommendations to the Legislature.
March 2, 2017 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education
February 28, 2017 - Presented to: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance