LCFF & LCAP

Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)

The 2013-14 State budget made major changes both to the way the State allocates funding to school districts and charter schools, and the way the state supports and intervenes in underperforming schools. For school districts and charter schools, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) creates base, supplemental, and concentration grants in place of most previously existing K–12 funding streams, thus eliminating revenue limits and approximately three-quarters of state categorical programs. This will result in more flexibility for school leaders, with the assistance from parents and other local stakeholders, to determine the local academic priorities and how the state funding will be used to improve student achievement so that they graduate from high school and are college and career ready.

Besides embracing local control and local accountability, LCFF also emphasizes equity and provides additional funding for targeted disadvantaged students: English learners, eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal or foster youth. Districts and charter schools with these student populations will receive a supplemental grant equal to 20 percent of the base grant for each eligible student, and a concentration grant equal to 50 percent of the base grant for targeted students exceeding 55 percent of a school district’s or charter school’s total student enrollment.

Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)

As part of the LCFF, school districts, county offices of education and charter schools are required to develop, adopt, and annually update a three-year Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), beginning on July 1, 2014, using a template adopted by the California State Board of Education (SBE). The LCAP is required to identify annual goals, specific actions, and measure progress for student subgroups across multiple performance indicators, including student academic achievement, school climate, student access to a broad curriculum, and parent engagement. School districts and charter schools are required to obtain parent and public input in developing, revising and updating LCAPs.

The academic priorities must be aligned to the district’s spending plan. The local governing board must first approve the LCAP before adopting the annual district budget. County superintendents must review school district LCAPs and ensure alignment of projected spending, services, and goals. COEs are required to provide technical assistance when they disapprove an LCAP. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction may intervene if a school district or charter school fails to show improvement across multiple subgroups in three out of four consecutive years

Frequently Asked Questions
LCFF stands for Local Control Funding Formula. This refers to the manner in which the State of California funds school districts. This change is a major change from the way public schools used to be funded and will require some time to transition into this new funding system starting in the 2013-14 academic year.

When does Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) start?

LCFF was approved by the California Legislature and Governor Brown in June 2013, started in the 2013-14 academic year. As of the development of this document, the State Board of Education is in the process of putting the process in place. Currently, school districts are being funded through a hybrid model of the previous model (Revenue Limit) and the new model (LCFF).

What is different?

Under the previous model, there were more than forty categories of funding, each for a specific purpose identified by the State. The LCFF model has basically established three forms of funding, with more local discretion on determining how the funds are spent.

1. Base Grant for all students.
2. Supplemental Grant (focused on all English Language Learners, Free and Reduced Priced Meal eligible students, and foster youth).
3. Concentration Grant (focus on each English Language Learner or Free and Reduced Priced Meal eligible student above 55% of the district-wide enrollment).

How will schools be accountable?

Districts must develop a Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) that will better align the academic plan with the district expenditure plan that is approved by the Board Trustees every June. Parents and other stakeholder groups will be invited to participate in the development of the LCAP.

What does the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) measure?

The LCAP must include annual goals in eight specified areas.

• Student Achievement.
• Student Engagement.
• Other Student Outcomes.
• School Climate.
• Parental Involvement.
• Basic Services.
• Implementation of Common Core.
• Course Access.

How is Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) developed?

Districts must establish and prioritize the eight goals listed above and will be required to indicate the steps it will take to meet the annual goals. Districts must use a State Board adopted LCAP template and will solicit input from various stakeholders.

What is the term of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)?

The LCAP is a three year plan that has to be updated annually.

When will the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) be adopted?

Districts must adopt an LCAP at the same time it adopts a budget, which is prior to July 1st of every year.

For more information, please visit one of the following:

California Department of Education
http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/lc/

California Parent Teacher Association
http://www.capta.org/sections/programs/lcff-lcap.cfm