Gov. Jerry Brown yesterday proposed an unfamiliar budget for public education in the state – one with actual increases. His 2013-14 spending plan for K-12 schools includes a revision of his plan to reform the state’s convoluted, inequitable school finance system that lawmakers and a coalition of education groups rejected last year. Passing it would be a priority, Brown said.
Brown wants to increase overall spending for K-12 and community colleges in the 2013-14 fiscal year by 5 percent: $2.7 billion, which translates to $337 per student. Total spending would rise to $56.2 billion next year.
Brown said at a news conference Thursday that passing education finance reform would be a priority.
That growth in revenue, guaranteed by Proposition 98, together with extra money from the passage of Proposition 30 in November, would be split between continuing to pay off late payments to schools – part of the state’s “wall of debt” that Brown is determined to shrink rapidly – and phasing in a new funding system that would steer more money to low-income students, English
More money, more accountability for community colleges - by Kathryn Baron
Additional reporting by Sue Frey Gov. Brown’s spending plan for community colleges reflects the new focus in the state’s 112-campus community college system on increasing graduation and transfer rates through a combination of technology, smoother pathways to Cal State University and, for students, tough love. His budget would invest an additional $196.7 million in community colleges and leave it...
Perspectives on Governor Brown’s budget - by EdSource staff
The following are excerpts from statements issued by education leaders or from comments made in interviews with EdSource K-12 Schools I strongly support the student-weighted formula for determining how much money school districts should receive. Under this proposal, our district will receive new funds that allow us to address our structural deficit. While this may not allow any increases to...
Early childhood funding stays flat in governor’s budget - by Lillian Mongeau
After years of funding cuts to early childhood programs, Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed budget would keep funding levels nearly the same as last year. “There was no restoration of the cuts from recent years, but no additional cuts,” said Rachel Ehlers of the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Brown’s budget allocates $2.2 billion, including designated federal funds, to cover child care and state...