RE: Question 1: Funding Schools- What's in the Plan

Background for Question 1: The draft Master Plan (section on Affordability....) states in summary that basic K-12 educational funding in California is now based on a model that is not related to actual costs, which may vary from one district to another. "This Master Plan envisions a fundamental change from a traditional focus of the K-12 financing system ... to one of adequacy, in which the essential components (personnel, materials, equipment, and facilities) necessary for an exemplary education are identified and provided." This is a necessary part of establishing accountability: only when adequate resources for a high quality education are available will it make sense to hold schools and students accountable for meeting achievement standards. To simplify the financing model and work towards meeting student needs, a Commission (Recommendation 43) would be asked to develop a California Quality Education Model. This would be used to determine the level of funding that would be adequate to support a high quality education for every public school student.