BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1226 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 29, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair AB 1226 (Chávez) - As Amended April 20, 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Education |Vote:|7 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable: Yes SUMMARY: This bill expands the state priorities under the local control and accountability plans (LCAPs) to include the degree to which the certificated instructional personnel of the school district are offered opportunities for professional development and growth. AB 1226 Page 2 FISCAL EFFECT: Proposition 98/GF cost pressure, potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars, to dedicate funding for professional development activities. COMMENTS: 1)Purpose. In 2013, the state implemented a new funding formula for schools known as the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The new law replaces most previously existing K-12 funding streams (revenue limit and categorical programs) with per pupil grade span funding. Additionally, the new formula provides targeted funding for low income, English learner and foster youth students. With the elimination of most state categorical programs, the LCFF also shifts many spending decisions from the state to the local level. To this end, local education agencies (LEAs) are required to produce an LCAP in consultation with parents, teachers and the broader community. The LCAP ties decisions about the use of resources to annual educational goals. Each LCAP must address the following eight state priorities: a) The degree to which teachers are appropriately assigned; b) Implementation of the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE); c) Parental involvement; d) Pupil achievement; AB 1226 Page 3 e) Pupil engagement; f) School climate; g) The extent to which pupils have access to and are enrolled in a broad course of study; and h) Pupil outcomes. This bill adds as a ninth priority the degree to which the district offers opportunities for professional development and growth. 1)Funding for Professional Development. Prior to the enactment of the LCFF, the annual budget appropriated approximately $400 million for specific professional development programs and activities. In 2009, in response to the state budget crisis, the Legislature reduced funding for approximately 40 categorical programs, including professional development programs. Along with the funding reduction, the state made program requirements flexible, allowing LEAs to spend funding for any educational purpose. This flexibility was continued under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) enacted in 2013. The 2013-14 Budget Act provided $1.25 billion (one-time/P98) to LEAs to support the transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Allowable activities included professional AB 1226 Page 4 development, instructional materials, and technology. The 2014-15 Budget Act appropriated $400 million to reduce K-12 education mandate claims backlog and expressed Legislative intent that the funding be used for activities associated with implementation of the CCSS, including professional development. Analysis Prepared by:Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916) 319-2081