The University of California's K-12 Outreach Programs [Publication Details]

Feb 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.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/859

Supplemental Instruction [Publication Details]

Feb 17, 2000 - In order to increase the effectiveness of the state's various supplemental instructional programs, we recommend that the Legislature (1) expand the Governor's consolidation proposal to include the Elementary School Intensive Reading Program and (2) increase the combined enrollment cap for these programs accordingly.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/687

A Look at the Progress of English Learner Students [Publication Details]

Feb 12, 2004 - The 2002 California English Language Development Test documents the progress of more than 1.3 million English learner students in the state. This reports summarizes student achievement as measured by the test and evaluates the rate at which students' English skills improve. On the whole, student progress is slow, although some groups of students appear to make rapid progress.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1077

Professional Development For K-12 Teachers [Publication Details]

Feb 21, 2001 - The Governor proposes a greatly expanded effort over the next three years to train nearly all the state's K-12 teachers. We recommend an approach that better accounts for existing programs and provides a more realistic implementation time frame, while saving $235 million in 2001-02
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/789

Special Education Mandates Follow-Up Letter [Publication Details]

Oct 27, 1999 - We outline our concerns with the staff supplemental analysis prepared for the Commission on State Mandates (COSM) October 28, 1999 meeting. This letter is a follow-up to our 10/13/99 analysis in which we reviewed legislative intent related to the special education funding system.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/654

Improving Alternative Education in California [Publication Details]

Feb 7, 2007 - Between 10 percent to 15 percent of high school students enroll in one of the state’s four alternative programs each year. These programs serve many of the state’s at-risk students. We recommend fixing the state and federal accountability programs so that schools and districts are held responsible for the success of students in alternative programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1547

Restructuring Public School Finance [Publication Details]

Feb 23, 1994 - We suggest an approach to K-12 education funding that would increase local control over the level of general-purpose education revenues and local accountability for outcomes, without compromising the state's fundamental interest in ensuring an adequate education for all.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/226

Explaining Differences in School District Revenue [Publication Details]

Oct 1, 1997 - School district revenues per student differ significantly throughout the state. For instance, per student revenue-including all local, state, and federal aid-in 1995-96 (the most recent data available) among California unified school districts ranged from $4,042 to $12,528 per student, with an average of $5,160.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/2764

K-12 Facilities Emergency Repair Program [Publication Details]

Feb 23, 2006 - The current structure of the Emergency Repair Program (ERP) makes it difficult for districts to apply for funds and provides incentives for districts to avoid addressing facility problems until they become real emergencies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1453

Proposition 98 Budget Priorities [Publication Details]

Feb 18, 2004 - The Governor's budget offers a good starting point for addressing the 2004-05 budget problem. Given the structural budget situation the state faces, we believe the Governor's proposed suspension of the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee is appropriate.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/1129