Local Control Funding Formula—What Is It?

Have you heard the buzz about the Local Control Funding Formula?  Do you wonder what it is and what effect it might have on your school?  Here is a brief overview of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).

The LCFF Proposal was put into play by Governor Brown as a way to address “California’s overly complex, administratively costly, and inequitably distributed school finance system.”  The proposal suggested that the flexibility of local decision-making around education should be increased at the same time the accountability for meeting student educational needs would be increased at the local level as well. 

The Formula consists primarily of base, supplemental and concentration funding that focuses resources based on a school’s student demographics:

Each district and charter school receives a per-pupil base grant to cover operations and instruction, with different allocations of base funds by grade level clusters: K-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12.

A supplemental grant of 35% of the base is provided for each English learner, economically disadvantaged or foster youth pupil.  If a school has a student population of English learner, economically disadvantaged or foster youth that exceeds 50% of the total enrollment, a concentration grant equal to 35% of the base grant will be allocated for each of the students above the 50% threshold. 

Additional funding assistance will be provided to reduce Kindergarten through grade 3 class size and help high schools provide career technical education courses.

The LCFF also focuses on Local Accountability.  Districts will be required to develop a local control and accountability plan that sets annual goals and describes how the entity will use available resources.  The plans will include actions the local agency will take to provide basic conditions necessary for student achievement (such as credentialed teachers, adequate instructional materials, facilities in good repair); implement the common core standards; improve academic outcomes; and address the needs of English learners, foster children, and students from low-income backgrounds.  To create this plan, schools must include principals, teachers, parents, students, and other community members in the planning process and to share the plan and the budget at public meetings.  The local board will need to adopt this plan which will then be reviewed by the county Board of Education.  Ultimately the plan will be reviewed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

For more information about LCFF check with your local school district or county office or read the information pdf found at: "Overview of the Local Control Funding Formula Proposal"

Let us know what your school and district are doing to ensure input from all of the stakeholders in the education of youth by sending us information at support@consultfourkids.com