LCF?

Getting to the specifics of the Governor’s LCF (Local Control Funding) proposal, there are a variety of twists and turns that we should watch and appreciate as this major policy/funding issue moves forward in Sacramento.  Obviously this approach will require that we individually count students with this approach.  It should be noted that ONE of those wrinkles is that a student can only be funded as an EL student for a maximum of 5 years – and then they are “out” of any supplemental funding calculation – THAT is a major shift.

I always try to “get the picture” of what is happening.  This is my best attempt at the changes that we are undergoing with the LCF proposal.

Our current (Prop 98) system varies the funding from district to district based on unique, historical and unusual information.  LCF should keep the funding essentially the same but base the funding based on each of our students not historical district information.  As to the student funding, essentially all students get the SAME basic funding regardless of which district or region of the state in which they may be attending school.  However, the plan calls for some differences based on grade (e.g., K-3 vs. other elementary). 

Then as there are special needs (poverty or EL), students get supplemental funding that is an increase of 35% over the basic funding.  Finally, if on a districtwide basis there is a concentration above 50% of disadvantaged students – THEN the district will receive an additional 35% for each student ABOVE that 50% threshold.  In other words, the first 50% in this category won’t provide any additional support.  For each student beyond the 50% there will be the additional +35% funding.

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