Three years after Gov. Jerry Brown freed schools from spending controls and gave them extra cash to narrow a yawning achievement gap, the governor's reform remains popular among schools -- but there's only scattered evidence that the state's largesse is improving education for the most disadvantaged students.
When he signed what he dubbed a revolutionary law in 2013, Brown promised that money would flow to high-needs students hampered by language barriers, poverty and family instability. Through his new Local Control Funding Formula, Brown said the state would butt out of school spending decisions.
As California funnels a record $88.3 billion to pre-K-12 public education in the year that began July 1, the funds intended for disadvantaged children -- who make up 3 out of every 5 California students -- are paying for buildings, teacher salaries and other purposes.
The ways local districts use funds for high-needs students varies widely because of ambiguity in the rules and uneven enforcement. On Wednesday and Thursday, the State Board of Education will consider new regulations on how schools must write and organize reports on how they are spending funds for needy students. The proposed rules would add some clarity and transparency.
To read more of Sharon Noguchi's article, please click here.
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