TK-12 Education Policy

Delve into the diversity of California’s student population, demographic trends and student outcomes – including information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – and the implications of this data for understanding and planning effective policy.

Learning Objectives for this Section

To develop:

• A clear understanding of California’s historic, current, and future child demographic trends, as well as what the implications of those trends are for public education and, by extension, for California’s economy, society, and democracy
• An understanding of student outcomes in California, including variations over time, across subgroups, and in comparison, to students’ outcomes in other states
• The ability to analyze student outcome data, across multiple measures, and use tools and resources to learn more and apply this capacity to achieve your legislative objectives

Learn how the state has approached its role and responsibilities regarding public education over time, including setting expectations for the education students receive and allocating authority to support meeting those expectations.

Learning Objectives for this Section

To develop:

• An understanding of the main entities that have a role in governing California schools
• An understanding of the federal and state laws, court decisions and California initiatives that have influenced local school policy and practices over time
• The ability to leverage an understanding of the historic and current federal, state and local relationships in education into effective state policymaking
• An awareness of the critical skills necessary for effectively staffing a TK-12 bill to maximize the likelihood of success, including developing key materials, communicating with committee staff and understanding applicable deadlines 

Learn how public schools are financed and some of the driving factors that have led to the overall amount invested and how funding is distributed among local education agencies – and within them.

Learning Objectives for this Section

To develop:

• An understanding of the mechanisms that drive the state’s overarching investment in TK-12 public schools
• A working knowledge of how school funding is distributed by the state, including the Local Control Funding Formula and the special education funding formulas
• An understanding of the key mechanisms for funding school facilities
• An awareness of recent state budget issues and decisions and their impact on local education agency budgeting practices
• An ability to leverage your understanding of these funding dynamics as you pursue education priorities, including navigating the budget process

Investigate the state’s role in teaching and learning, including the connection between content standards, curriculum frameworks, assessment, teacher credentialing and training.

Learning Objectives for this Section

To develop:

• An awareness of the growing body of research on how human beings learn and the connection to TK-12 public education in California.
• An understanding of California’s content standards, curriculum frameworks, instructional materials, assessment systems, teacher credentialing standards, teacher preparation pathways and the Statewide System of Support – and the link between them.
• An ability to identify and articulate the balance between state and local responsibilities regarding teaching and learning – and the role effective state policy making plays.

Explore the multiple mechanisms the state uses to promote accountability, including those that shape inputs, processes and desired outcomes.

Learning Objectives for this Section

To develop:

• An understanding of the historical context and vision behind California’s existing approach to education accountability
• A working knowledge of the state-adopted California School Dashboard, Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) template and the Statewide System of Support
• The ability to apply this knowledge of state education accountability policy levers to effective state policymaking