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California is home to the most diverse student population in the nation, one whose parents overwhelmingly hold strong values and aspirations around education. Yet schools in the state have long struggled to support students, leading to longstanding equity gaps in student outcomes and achievement.
In 2013, the state’s move to fund schools more fairly, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), offered hope that schools could finally match those aspirations with equitable opportunities. Today, LCFF is still a missed opportunity.
More to Be Done: California’s Local Control Funding Formula After a Decade, a new report by Natalie Wheatfall-Lum, J.D., finds that despite some progress, because of shortcomings in the formula, alarming racial inequities in student outcomes have persisted, progress for multilingual learners has flatlined, and family engagement and district accountability is lacking.
This brief reflects on the past ten years of LCFF, examines its shortcomings, offers key principles for future policymaking, and demands that those changes center the most marginalized students.
Its takeaway is clear: it’s time to fix LCFF. Adequate, equitable funding is indeed the right move for students – and California leaders must address the shortcomings in LCFF in ways that more substantially increase equity in both how the funding is distributed and how districts are held accountable. We call on lawmakers to amend LCFF according to the principles and recommendations outlined in this brief, starting with legislative hearings.
At EdTrust-West, we believe a different California is possible:
a California that ensures that Black, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American students’ futures are as bright as their dreams are big. We believe that our state’s schools, colleges, and universities can form the bedrock of a more just California.
Committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system.
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Communications Manager
Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) joins Ed Trust–West as a Communications Manager with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives.
Karla started her career as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools and UIC College Prep. After teaching, Karla joined United Friends of the Children to support LA County’s youth in foster care as a college counselor. Through Leadership for Educational Equity, Karla also served as a Policy Advisor Fellow for the office of a Los Angeles Unified School Board Member. She solidified her interests in policy analysis and quantitative research during her time with the Price Center for Social Innovation, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. Before joining The Education Trust–West, Karla was the Associate Director for the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, a network of nonprofits advocating for communities in SELA.
Karla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Advocacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Karla is based out of southern California and is passionate about using data analysis, communications, and digital strategies for policy advocacy and social justice efforts.