Category Archives: Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)

Torlakson Issues Tech Challenge – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced a “Tech Challenge” to California”s technology industry to help improve access to Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs).

Torlakson made the announcement during a presentation to the prestigious South by Southwest® Education conference in Austin, Texas.

“Today, I challenge the tech community – by fall 2016 – to assemble a dream team with one goal. Develop a user-friendly portal and application for the Local Control Accountability Plans.”

The LCAPS are a critical part of California”s new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) for schools. Each school district must engage parents, educators, employees, and the community to establish these plans, which describe the school district”s overall vision for students, annual goals, and specific actions.

Source: Torlakson Issues Tech Challenge – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

Doug Ford: K-12 education moving in positive direction in the state – The Reporter

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By Doug Ford

The 2015 California School Board Conference was a great event. There was a general feeling of optimism about the way K-12 education is now moving in California with Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Local Control Funding Formula.

There was much concern that the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) guidance needs to be revised and improved. After forty or more years in decline resulting from inadequate financial support, huge population growth, great changes in society and culture, and enormous increases in the amount of knowledge available, we seem to be finally getting K-12 education moving in a positive direction.

via Doug Ford: K-12 education moving in positive direction in the state.

Brown urged to ‘reaffirm the vision’ of funding law | EdSource

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By John Fensterwald

A team of researchers found that, two years into the state’s new school financing law, “nagging concerns” are tempering the enthusiasm that school districts and county offices of education have for the Local Control Funding Formula.

In their final report, due out in several weeks, they will urge Gov. Jerry Brown and the State Board of Education to “reaffirm the vision” of the new funding law – shifting decisions to the local level, closer to the classroom – or risk losing the opportunity “if we don’t get it right.”

via Brown urged to ‘reaffirm the vision’ of funding law | EdSource.

States May Get More Control Over Accountability. What Will They Do With It? – Education Week

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By Alyson Klein

If Congress reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and gives states way more control over their own accountability systems, what will they do with it?

Pretty much the same thing they have been doing for the past four years, says a report released Tuesday by the Council of Chief State School Officers. More specifically: States will continue crafting and implementing accountability systems that build on nine basic principles outlined by state education leaders way back in 2011.

The report comes as staffers to all four major federal lawmakers on education—Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Patty Murray, D-Wash. as well as Reps. John Kline, R-Minn. and Bobby Scott, D-Va., are burning the midnight oil on a compromise bill to reauthorize ESEA that seeks to restore serious authority over K-12 policies to states. More on where all that work stands here.

via States May Get More Control Over Accountability. What Will They Do With It? – Politics K-12 – Education Week.

District accountability plans mushroom in size and complexity | EdSource

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By Michael Collier and Louis Freedberg

Two years after California required its more than 1,000 school districts as well as charter schools to draw up Local Control and Accountability Plans to establish goals and describe how they would use state funds, the documents have mushroomed in size, in some cases to hundreds of pages long.

The burgeoning size of the LCAPs, as they are commonly referred to, is raising questions about whether after just two years in existence they are turning into a daunting bureaucratic exercise, taking hundreds of work hours to draw up and many more hours of review by county officials who must approve the plans.

via District accountability plans mushroom in size and complexity | EdSource.

DUSD leaders to hear updates on office repairs – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Late last year, most Dixon Unified district staffers, on the advice of structural engineers, relocated their offices from South First Street, with its broken roof trusses, to new spaces at Dixon High School, at 555 College Way.

The move affected Superintendent Brian Dolan, human resources and education services.

Tonight, district staffers will hear updates on the district office repairs and the Local Control Accountability Plan, or LCAP.

Due to the repairs, special education services relocated to the district’s Silveyville Primary School campus near Westside Park, but the business and technology departments, housed in offices not subject to imminent roof collapse, remained at the South First Street site, near the main intersection of downtown Dixon.

via DUSD leaders to hear updates on office repairs.

Cultures clash as court weighs in on school funding, accountability – Daily Republic

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By Dan Walters

The epic war between California’s education establishment and a loose coalition of school reform and civil rights groups rages on many fronts.

Combatants clash in the Legislature, in the state Board of Education, in local school board meetings, in school district, legislative and statewide elections, and, ultimately, in the courts.

One of their many specific issues is whether charter schools, despised by school unions and their political allies, should play a larger role in attacking the state’s persistent “achievement gap.”

via Cultures clash as court weighs in on school funding, accountability.

Sub teacher pay, LCAP, re-opening of Dover campus on FSUSD agenda tonight – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Boosting substitute teacher pay, an update on the Local Control Accountability Plan, and the re-opening of Dover Middle School as a K-8 campus are open for discussion by the Fairfield-Suisun Unified leaders.

Tonight, trustees are expected to approve a hike in substitute teacher pay, raising the pay of a day-to-day substitute to $160 per day; a “trained,” or credentialed, substitute to $170; a long-term substitute to $185; a retired district teacher who substitutes to $195; Adult School substitute pay to $22.07 per hour; and “permit teacher” substitute (providing service to the state preschool program) pay to $17 per hour.

The district’s assistant superintendent for educational services, Rona Portalupi will offer an overview of the district’s 117-page LCAP, essentially a master plan, part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula, that governs all district spending and specifically lays out how educators will teach “subgroups,” such as ethnic minorities, English language learners and foster youth — and how their progress will be measured.

via Sub teacher pay, LCAP, re-opening of Dover campus on FSUSD agenda tonight.

State superintendent to form task force for new accountability plan | EdSource

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By Sarah Tully

The state’s superintendent announced today the formation of a new task force to help overhaul California’s accountability system, along with a new plan to guide public schools.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson unveiled the Blueprint for Great Schools 2.0, a 20-page document that outlines plans for everything from early education and English learners to funding and teacher preparation.

This is the second blueprint for second-term Torlakson, who released his original plan in 2011 shortly after his first election.The task force comes at a time when the state’s accountability system is changing.

via State superintendent to form task force for new accountability plan | EdSource.

County offices gain extra month to review LCAPs | EdSource

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By John Fensterwald

The Legislature has granted county offices of education an extra month, until Sept. 15, to approve school districts’ annual budgets. The effect will be to ease some of the pressure on the counties to review districts’ local accountability plans, a new responsibility coinciding with the budget approval process, that many were hard-pressed to do effectively.

County education officials requested the additional time, which was tucked into the trailer bill, a catch-all bill accompanying the state budget, which lawmakers passed last month.

The state’s 58 county education offices are charged with approving both the districts’ annual budgets to ensure they’re financially sound and their Local Control and Accountability Plans, which lay out how districts will spend money and take other actions to meet school and student achievement goals required under the state’s new funding formula.

via County offices gain extra month to review LCAPs | EdSource.

BUSD OKs ’15-’16 budget – Benicia Herald

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By Keri Luiz

The final two acts of the Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees before the summer break were the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the 2015-16 budget.

There were public hearings for both of these items at the board’s June 11 meeting. On June 18 outgoing Superintendent Janice Adams presented the LCAP for approval.

The LCAP is required to receive state funding provided by the Local Control Funding Formula. The LCAP includes three sections: student outcomes, student and parent engagement, and conditions of learning.

“We had our public hearing last time, and went through this in detail. We did get an updated version, there were some revisions that the county suggested,” Adams said last week.

via BUSD OKs ’15-’16 budget.

FSUSD leaders to approve LCAP and a $187M budget – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Like other California school district governing boards, each facing important deadlines just days away, Fairfield-Suisun Unified leaders are expected to approve the district’s Local Control Accountability Plan and the 2015-16 budget during a meeting tonight in Fairfield.

The district’s LCAP , as it is called for short, is a key part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula. At 117 pages, it is, essentially, the master plan that governs all district spending and specifically lays out how educators will teach “subgroups,” such as ethnic minorities, English language learners and foster youth, and how their progress will be measured.

Cara Mendoza, director of staff development and educational technology, likely will briefly review the document’s contents before the seven trustees cast their votes.

Board members are expected to approve the new budget, as presented by Kelly Bartel, the district’s assistant superintendent for business services.

via FSUSD leaders to approve LCAP and a $187M budget.

Vacaville school district leaders approve several LCAPs, $94M budget for 2015-16 – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

With a deadline just days away, Vacaville Unified School District leaders on Thursday unanimously approved the district’s Local Control Accountability Plan, similar plans for several charter schools, and the 2015-16 budget during a meeting in the Educational Services Center.

The district’s LCAP, as it is called for short, is a key part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula. At 136 pages, it is, essentially, the master plan that governs all district spending and specifically lays out how educators will teach “subgroups,” such as ethnic minorities, English language learners and foster youth, and how their progress will be measured.

Trustees also approved LCAPs for ACE, Fairmont and Buckingham High School, all dependent charter schools, which require district oversight.

The seven-member governing board approved the new budget, as presented by Jane Shamieh, the district’s new interim superintendent, replacing Ken Jacopetti. He recently retired after two years in the district’s top job and has left the district.

via Vacaville school district leaders approve several LCAPs, $94M budget for 2015-16.

LCAP and budget hearings, Migrant Ed, employee contracts on DUSD agenda – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Facing deadlines, Dixon Unified leaders face a fairly busy agenda when they meet Thursday night in Dixon.

The five-member governing board will hold public hearings on the 2015-16 Local Control Accountability Plan and the 2015-16 budget, likely sign off on a Migrant Education Program contract, and also approve three-year pay-and-benefit pacts with two employee groups.

The district’s LCAP , as it’s called for short, is a key part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula. At 142 pages, it is, essentially, the master plan that governs all district spending.

Comprised of several “priority areas,” from course access to parent involvement, it describes for the public how educators will meet annual goals for all students and “identified subgroups,” such as ethnic minorities and special needs students, and how their progress will be measured.

via LCAP and budget hearings, Migrant Ed, employee contracts on DUSD agenda.

Charter school LCAPs dominate early part of Vacaville USD board meeting – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Presentations of Local Control Accountability Plans for several charter schools took up the lion’s share of the first 90 minutes of Thursday’s Vacaville Unified School District Governing Board meeting, and the news was largely upbeat.

Gathering in the Educational Services Center, the seven-member governing board heard LCAPs for ACE and Fairmont elementaries and Buckingham High, all dependent charter schools, meaning they are overseen by district administrators.

A key part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula, an LCAP is, essentially, the master plan that governs all district spending. Comprised of several “priority areas,” from course access to parental involvement, it describes for the public how educators will meet annual goals for all students and “identified subgroups,” such as ethnic minorities and special needs students, and how their progress will be measured.

via Charter school LCAPs dominate early part of Vacaville Unified School District board meeting.

Senior manager contracts, LCAP, budget on Fairfield-Suisun USD agenda – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Approval of budget increases, changes to several senior manager contracts, a public hearing on the Local Control Accountability Plan, and the 2015-16 budget are on the agenda when Fairfield-Suisun Unified leaders meet tonight in Fairfield.

As it has for 1,000 other California school districts, Gov. Jerry Brown’s May revise state budget means more cash for the county’s largest district, with more than 21,000 students.

According to agenda documents, some $2 million in new money will be spent to pay for release times for elementary teachers and increased staffing at the district’s middle schools and K-8 elementary schools, among other things.

The seven-member governing board likely will approve new contracts — or contract amendments — for four senior district managers. They include Kris Corey, district superintendent; Rona Portalupi, assistant superintendent of educational services; Kelly Bartel, assistant superintendent of business services; and Robert Martinez, assistant superintendent of human resources.

via Senior manager contracts, LCAP, budget on Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District agenda.

Vacaville schools leaders to mull LCAPs, 2015-16 budget, $40M in bonds – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Local Control Accountability Plans for several charter schools and Vacaville Unified School District, the district’s 2015-16 budget, and a resolution to issue $40 million in Measure A bonds are on the agenda when trustees meet tonight in Vacaville.

The seven-member governing board will hear LCAPs for ACE and Fairmont elementaries and Buckingham High, all dependent charter schools, and the district itself.

The plans are a key part of Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula. An LCAP is, essentially, the master plan that governs all district spending. Comprised of several “priority areas,” from course access to parental involvement, it describes for the public how educators will meet annual goals for all students and “identified subgroups,” such as ethnic minorities and special needs students, and how their progress will be measured.

via Vacaville schools leaders to mull LCAPs, 2015-16 budget, $40M in bonds.

Travis Unified School District leaders to hold hearings on LCAP, 2015-16 budget – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

With a June 30 deadline approaching, Travis Unified trustees tonight will hold public hearings on the school district’s Local Control Accountability Plan and the 2015-16 budget.

The LCAP, as it’s called for short, is a key part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula. It is, essentially, the master plan that governs all district spending. Comprised of eight “priority areas,” from course access to parent involvement, it describes for the public how educators will meet annual goals for all students and “identified subgroups,” such as ethnic minorities and special needs students, and how their progress will be measured.

Under the LCAP, the district is expected to receive some $1.6 million in supplemental grant funding to help students in the coming year.

via Travis Unified School District leaders to hold hearings on LCAP, 2015-16 budget.

VUSD leaders expected to adopt 2015-16 LCAP on June 25 – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified leaders on June 25 are expected to adopt the school district’s 2015-16 Local Control Accountability Plan, a document that guides district spending.

A key part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula, the LCAP is comprised of several key “priority areas,” from course access to parent involvement. It describes for the public how educators will meet annual goals for all students and identified subgroups, such as ethnic minorities and special needs students.

At the trustees’ May 21 meeting, Danielle Storey, the district’s assistant superintendent for educational services, told the seven-member governing board that the LCAP is a three-year projection and updated annually, “based on feedback” from stakeholders.

via VUSD leaders expected to adopt 2015-16 LCAP on June 25.

School site plans, LCAP on DUSD agenda tonight – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Superintendent Brian Dolan will lead the discussion about the district’s school sites and update the five-member governing board about the LCAP, a document that guides all district spending.

A key part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Local Control Funding Formula, LCAPs are comprised of eight “priority areas,” from course access to parent involvement. It also describes for the public how educators will meet annual goals for all students and identified subgroups, such as ethnic minorities and special needs students. It was unclear from agenda documents how much the district would receive in grants from the state to meet those needs.

via School site plans, LCAP on DUSD agenda tonight.