Overview of Special Education Funding Models

Dec 17, 2021 - Currently, Other States Use Various Special Education Funding Models. Figure  1 describes the four primary models used by states to distribute special education funding to schools. With the exception of the census ‑based model, most models include some indicator of special education cost.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4486

The 2026-27 Budget: K-12 Proposals

Feb 19, 2026 - Although the community schools model has been shown to have a variety of benefits for students, we have concerns about funding the model at such a large scale. The model can be challenging to implement and requires strong local support to be successful.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5131

The 2026-27 Budget: Re-Envisioning State Education Governance

Mar 18, 2026 - In the past decade, one state (Indiana) has shifted away from California ’s model and now appoints its chief state school officer. Figure 3 Four Common Education Governance Models Models Governor appoints state board of education and chief state school officer. 14 Governor appoints state board of education.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5165

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

Nov 10, 2025 - Repeals Funding for Research on Models of Instruction. The budget repeals $4  million in one-time Proposition  98 funding included in the 2024-25 budget package to research best practices for using hybrid and remote models of instruction.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5087

Assessing a Shift to Enrollment-Based School Funding

Jan 6, 2026 - Below, we describe a few options the state could take to improve attendance under an enrollment ‑based funding model. Require Schools Take Specific Actions to Support Students Who Are at Risk of Being Chronically Absent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5100

The 2025-26 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 5, 2025 - Specifically, statute provides that the fully ‑funded provider rate models will be implemented using two payment components: a base rate equaling 90  percent of the rate model and a quality incentive payment equaling up to 10  percent of the rate model, the latter of which is to be implemented through the quality incentive program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5008

The 2021-22 Budget: Community Schools

Feb 12, 2021 - The 2021-22 Budget: Community Schools Community Schools Background Community Schools Model Has Been One Approach to Improve Outcomes for Low ‑Income Students. To address factors outside of school that can affect student success, a growing number of school districts across the country have implemented the community schools model.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4367

Updating Special Education Out-of-Home Care Funding

Feb 23, 2021 - CANS ‑Based Model May Encourage Interagency Collaboration and Provide a Reasonable Proxy for Level of Need. The work group also discussed the possibility of using the CANS assessment as the basis of a new model.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4386

The 2022-23 Budget: College and Career Proposals

Feb 23, 2022 - Research suggests that dual enrollment can be an effective model for improving college preparation. Moreover, the state supports an extensive amount of dual enrollment through several program models.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4562

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

Sep 16, 2024 - Funds Research on Models of Instruction. The budget includes $4  million in one-time funding to contract with a COE to research best practices for using hybrid and remote models of instruction, as well as to provide guidance, support, and resources to school districts to support their instructional continuity programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4929