If One-Size-Fits-All Education Doesn't Work --- Does One-Size-Ft-All Funding Work?

A school board member in my hometown has declared that Governor Brown's new formula for funding schools is unfair. But is it? All students should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. However with the nature of school funding these days, and the overemphasis on standardized test, many students cannot get the extra attention they need. How many times have teachers had to keep the lesson moving ahead ( following a pacing guide), when they could tell by the lost looks on a few faces that they were not quite getting it?

Maybe they need more one-on-one attention that the class size makes impossible. Maybe they need to go to the reading lab or work with the librarian, but the school let the librarian go a few years ago. Or maybe they haven't had enough to eat but the school district only has $.80 a day  to provide breakfast and lunch and can't they concentrate on the lesson. Perhaps their home life has been stressful and they just need someone to listen and tell them it's going to be okay, but the one counselor in the school is swamped with standardized testing responsibilities.

We know that not every student in California has the same opportunity for success. Some students need additional resources to get them where they need to be.

California legislators have passed a historical budget agreement that overhauls education funding for K-12 schools. And although it's not perfect I support the Local Control Funding Formula because it recognizes that the one-size-fits-all funding doesn't fit all students. Now, additional funding for students of greatest need will help more dreams become realities.

Thanks to the efforts of educators, parents and others to pass Proposition 30, new money is flowing into our schools for the first time in five years. This allows of the new spending plan, which provides all schools with more resources, begins repaying schools the money they are owed from years of budget cuts, recognizes the need for smaller class sizes, and helps meet the needs of school districts serving students with high needs.

It is exciting, as it has been such a long time since we've seen a state budget with a significant increase in education funding. With this new funding  formula, school districts will be held accountable on how they spend the money. It gives us (teachers, parents, citizens) the opportunity to work collaboratively with school boards to make sure the resources go where they are needed most, and reshape the way we support all students. Having local control is democratic, locals know the best ways to use funds.

It is long pass time for California to change the way it funds public schools. We must ensure all students get the resources they need - especially when some need more than others. The governor's Local Control Funding Formula will make that possible. That gives me hope for the future of public education in California.

Until next week,

Debra