Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding

Jan 6, 2026 - The Constitution sets forth three main tests (formulas) for calculating the Proposition  98 guarantee. Test   1 —the most commonly used test over the past 15 years —is based on a share of General Fund revenue and is unaffected by attendance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5100

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Proposition 98 and K-12 Education

Oct 25, 2021 - LEAs also must have a plan for transitioning independent study students back to in-person instruction within five days, if requested by the family. These new requirements do not apply to students who are enrolled in ind ependent study for less than 15 school days during the academic year.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4466

The 2026-27 Budget: K-12 Proposals

Feb 19, 2026 - The administration ind icates it plans to modify this part of the proposal in the May Revision and may allow funds to be used for a broader set of activities related to community  schools. Effects of Community Schools Model Research Finds Benefits to Community Schools Model.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5131

Early Budget Actions to Support In-Person K-12 Instruction and Address Learning Loss

Apr 23, 2021 - To receive the full funding allocation, LEAs must meet certain in-person instruction requirements beginning April 1, 2021. Figure  1 describes these funding requirements. An LEA ’s funding allocation is reduced by 1  percent for each day between April 1 and May 15, 2021 that the in-person instruction requirements are not met.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4417

The 2023-24 Budget: Fiscal Outlook for Schools and Community Colleges

Nov 16, 2022 - Under our forecast, Test 1 remains operative throughout the period, meaning the guarantee would change about 40 cents for each dollar of higher or lower General Fund revenue. In 2022 ‑23 and 2023 ‑24, Test 1 is likely to remain operative even if General Fund revenue or other inputs vary significantly from our  forecast.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4648

The 2024-25 California Spending Plan: Proposition 98 and K-12 Education

Sep 16, 2024 - Beginning July 1, 2025, LEAs must certify they have an instructional continuity plan that specifies how, following an emergency event, the LEA will (1)  communicate with students and families within five calendar days and (2)  provide access to in-person or remote instruction within ten instructional days.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4929

Review of the Funding Determination Process for Nonclassroom-Based Charter Schools

Feb 29, 2024 - For example, a student who receives in ‑person instruction four days and one day of independent study would be credited with four days of classroom ‑based attendance and one day of nonclassroom ‑based attendance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4870

The 2025‑26 Budget: Fiscal Outlook for Schools and Community Colleges

Nov 20, 2024 - Technically, it reduces the Test 2 and Test 3 funding levels from what they otherwise would be in the year following the increase. These lower levels are then used in the comparison with Test 1 (which is unaffected).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4940

Increasing Transparency of County Office of Education Spending

Mar 14, 2024 - Two promising metrics that many schools already use include (1)  scores on pre ‑ and post ‑tests of skills, and (2)  credits gained while enrolled. Various pre ‑ and post ‑tests exist and currently are used by some COEs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4883

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Proposition 98 and K-12 Education

Nov 10, 2025 - The funding can be used by CDE to contract with an external entity that would provide the screener and necessary training to schools free of charge, as well as to conduct field tests. CDE would be required to make the screener and training available to districts at no cost by March  1, 2026.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5087