California’s Landmark Local Control Funding Formula dramatically changed the way the state funds its school districts, directing greater resources to districts serving large numbers of low-income students, English learners, and students in foster care. LCFF also shifted substantially more control over spending decisions to school districts and communities. In a series of case studies, Education Trust – West describes how the first year of LCFF implementation unfolded in several focus districts around the state. The purpose of these case studies is to illustrate LCFF implementation at the local level from multiple perspectives. These case studies describe ways in which community stakeholders and districts engaged with one another to develop their Local Control Accountability Plans. The case studies also provide an analysis of each focus district’s LCAP, with an eye towards how transparently and effectively each district shared its decision-making with the public, along with how the districts proposed to invest in the success of low-income students, English learners, and foster youth. We also provide a one-page “At a Glance” information sheet for each focus district. This includes district demographic and budget information, a community engagement overview, and highlights from the district’s LCAP.
