Responding to criticism that he is offering flexibility without accountability, Gov. Jerry Brown has offered up specifics on how he would hold school districts responsible for extra money he is proposing to give them for high-needs children under his proposed sweeping reforms of how California schools are funded.

Under his plan:

•  Districts and charter schools would be required to write or update an annual “local control and accountability plan” spelling out how the additional dollars would be used to improve the academic success of the targeted students – low-income children, foster youth and students learning English – and whether there would be enough money allocated in the district budget to carry out the plans.

• School officials would be required to consult with parents, teachers and members of the community in writing the plan and to hold a hearing on it.

• The State Board of Education would create a “template,” providing guidelines and requirements on what must be in the district plan.

• The plan would need the approval of the county superintendent of schools as part of the county’s annual review of the district’s budget.

via Brown details how to hold districts accountable under funding reform – by John Fensterwald.