​Beginning this year, California’s complicated education funding model will be replaced by the simplified Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).

What does that mean for our schools?

First of all, it will give school districts more freedom with how they spend their money.

The old funding model included money set aside for about 50 various programs that state lawmakers decided were a priority. School districts didn’t have much of a say in how these “categorical” funds were spent.

That will no longer be the case. Most of those “categorical” programs have been eliminated.

Now, most of the funding will be based on a per-pupil dollar amount that varies slightly for different grade levels. Additional money will be available based on the number of students within a district that need extra support. These include English language learners, students from low-income families, and foster youth.

It will now be up to educators, administrators and community to decide how that money will best serve students in our local districts. Eventually, the new funding formula is expected to give most school districts more money than they now have to spend on each student.

As part of the budget planning process, school districts across the state now will have to put together a Local Control and ​Accountability Plan, or LCAP. This plan will identify goals and measure student progress. Parent and public input will be used in developing and revising the plan each year.

The new funding formula presents a historic opportunity to focus on improving student outcomes, closing achievement gaps, and increasing the level of communication between our schools and our community.

To learn more about The LCFF or LCAP, visit the San Diego County Office of Education's LCAP page or the California Department of Education webpage.