MAY 06, 2014
Struggling L.A. schools seek larger class sizes
(Calif.) Despite an improving economy and robust tax collections, the Los Angeles School District will petition the state to allow larger class sizes in some of its most under-performing schools through 2014-15.
The waiver application, which covers more than 70 school sites, would have in the recent past likely been approved as a routine matter of business. This time around, after voters approved a tax hike in 2012 and a projected a budget surplus this year of more than $1 billion – the decision might be more difficult for the California State Board of Education.
The request involves a special state funding program – the Quality Education Investment Act, which has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in added state support to struggling schools.
But to qualify for the money, QEIA schools are required to meet a number of benchmarks, including a commitment to reduce by five students in each class from a base year (either 2006 or 2007) or maintain a class average of 25 students.
The QEIA requirement is separate from a legislative goal of limiting teacher-student ratios in kindergarten through third grade at 20:1.
Since the onset of the economic downtown in 2005, the Legislature, as well as the state board, has given schools much latitude in dealing with the class size requirements. Indeed, a staff report to Struggling L.A. schools seek larger class sizes :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet:
States shift emphasis to career tech options
(District of Columbia) In addition to the $250 million investment California is making for school-to-work grants to K-12 schools and community colleges, a number of other states have also made recent commitments to career technical education.
Effective Internal controls can eliminate major fiscal findings
With the intense monitoring on the use of federal program funds, developing and implementing fiscal and program internal controls is critical. The following will provide specific guidance to assist you with internal controls.