Dan Walters: Jerry Brown’s budget plan looks like a pipe dream

For the past two months, Gov. Jerry Brown has been selling the concept that were the Legislature to approve his proposed budget and voters to approve his tax increase, the state’s fiscal house would be repaired.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/28/4295881/dan-walters-jerry-browns-budget.html#mi_rss=Dan%20Walters#storylink=cpy

via Dan Walters: Jerry Brown’s budget plan looks like a pipe dream.

The Educated Guess: LAO nixes Gov’s community college budget

By Kathryn Baron

Gov. Brown missed a chance to save millions for community colleges by reining in Board of Governors fee waivers, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. The LAO released its review of Brown’s 2012-13 higher education budget plan yesterday, and raised red flags on that program and on the governor’s proposals to make major changes in the way community colleges are funded, as well as big changes in categorical programs.

via LAO nixes Gov’s community college budget – by Kathryn Baron.

The Educated Guess: LAO wants to redirect QEIA funds

By Kathryn Baron

Nearly 30 percent of California schools funded under the Quality Education Investment Act, or QEIA, may be expelled from the program at the end of this academic year for not meeting one or more of the requirements. That could leave up to $140 million in QEIA funds on the table – money the Legislative Analyst says the state should use to fill in the gaps in other educational programs.

via LAO wants to redirect QEIA funds – by Kathryn Baron.

The Educated Guess: LAO praises Brown budget … but not big cuts for schools if taxes fail

By John Fensterwald – Educated Guess

With some differences over details, the Legislative Analyst’s Office has commended Gov. Jerry Brown’s overall approach to school spending and what he’d do with the higher taxes he’s asking voters to approve. Where they disagree is over what should happen if the extra money doesn’t come and the state  budget has to be cut.

via LAO praises Brown budget … – by John Fensterwald – Educated Guess.

Legislative Analyst’s Office: The 2012-13 Budget: Proposition 98 Education Analysis

This report analyzes the Governor’s Proposition 98 budget package, including his basic budget plan and back-up plan as well as his multiyear plan to retire the “Wall of Debt” as it pertains to outstanding education obligations. The report makes a number of recommendations, including designating new revenues for paying down existing K-14 payment deferrals; replacing the education mandate system with a discretionary block grant; adopting some version of the Governor’s K-12 funding restructuring proposal, with general spending requirements that districts dedicate additional resources to their disadvantaged students; expanding community college categorical flexibility; canceling initiation of the transitional kindergarten program scheduled to begin in 2012-13; and prioritizing access to subsidized preschool for affected low-income children.

via The 2012-13 Budget: Proposition 98 Education Analysis.

Charters getting 7% less funding

The Educated Guess

By John Fensterwald

Under state law, charter schools and district public schools are supposed to be funded equally. That’s not happening, according to a report by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which found that charter schools receive on average $395 per student or 7 percent less than district schools. And for the half of charter elementary schools that don’t qualify for class-size reduction subsidies, the gap increases on average an additional $721 per student.

via Charters getting 7% less funding – by John Fensterwald – Educated Guess.

Comparing Funding for Charter Schools and Their School District Peers

Legislative Analyst’s Office: K-12 Education Publications, Handouts and Budget Recommendations

The 1992 legislation that authorized charter schools in California created a funding model intended to provide charter schools with the same per-pupil operational funding as received by other schools in the same school district. The state subsequently modified this policy in 1998, enacting legislation specifying that “charter school operational funding shall be equal to the total funding that would be available to a similar school district serving a similar pupil population.” This policy remains in place. In this report, we assess whether operational funding received by charter schools and their school district peers is comparable. We (1) describe the funding models used for charter schools and school districts, (2) compare funding rates for the two groups, and (3) provide recommendations to simplify the funding system, maximize flexibility for both school types, and equalize funding rates for charter schools under the current funding system or under a fundamentally restructured system.

via Comparing Funding for Charter Schools and Their School District Peers.