SALINAS, Calif. - Fixing California's education finance system is impossible according to the President of the State Board of Education. That might not be what teachers and parents want to hear in the midst of severe cuts to schools, but Michael Kirst says it's not about fixing the system; it's about stripping it down and starting over. "You need to overhaul a whole set of things, there's no silver bullet here."
In 2008 Kirst co-authored a report proposing a plan to fundamentally reform the finance system starting with how the state gives out base funding. That's the amount it takes per-student to cover the basic costs of education like textbooks, teachers and facilities.
One of the biggest hurdles though, is location. Kirst says the state should adjust base funding depending on regional cost differences. "Right now we recognize no differences, so a low-income Hispanic district in say Monterey County…they don't get adjusted for the higher cost that it takes to run a school there."
Kirst also wants districts to have more control over how they spend the money they get. Right now, once districts get their base funding they have to aggressively apply for dozens of "categorical programs" which provide funding for things like class size reduction, and transportation. While the programs are valuable, Kirst says it's a complicated process, with strict restrictions. "We have 62 categorical programs and they pile so much money on, and it goes in so many different directions"
In Kirst's proposal, he would take all the funds set aside for "categorical programs" and collapse it into a lump sum. Districts would then weight their students needs, get a percentage of that lump sum, and be to free to spend the money however they see best. "The state is very specific on how you do things, and how you spend your money…so this plan would abolish a lot that tells you how to spend your money, and we're going to hold you accountable for what you get at the end." The idea is if schools don't spend wisely it will show up in achievement.
Michael Kirst isn't the only one who says the finance system needs an overhaul. Assemblywoman Julia Brownley proposed Assembly Bill 8 in 2009. It would have tasked a working group with designing a new funding structure by December 2010, but Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill.
Now she's behind Assembly Bill 18, which would enact the "Education Finance Reform Act." In June, it passed through the assembly with ease (74-2) based on three main principals:
-Simplify the convoluted finance system.
-Make funding more equitable.
-Direct more money to high-needs children (English learners/Special needs)
Much like the plan Michael Kirst proposed, AB 18 would combine dozens of "categorical programs" into three main funding areas that schools could pull from.
-Base Spending: Covers the basic costs of education (per-student spending etc.)
-Quality Instruction Funding: Ensures students have the proper resources to succeed
(Ex. teachers/small classes)
-Targeted Student Equity Funding: Aimed at low-income students and English learners
AB 18 does bring some concerns though. For example, programs to reduce class sizes would be combined in the same fund as programs to hire teachers. Teachers fear schools would spend more on staff than on keeping class sizes small.
AB 18 is now with the Senate Education Committee, and a decision isn't expected until June, 2012.
