Using data for 108 colleges in the California Community College System, this paper poses two questions. First, do California community colleges differ in their missions? Second, if they do, can inter-college differences in missions be explained? We address the first question by developing college-specific measures of curriculum mix, which we use…

The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title II of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220) requires states to document whether or not adult education service providers are improving the quality of their instructional services. To reward effective providers, a number of states have adopted performance-based funding (PBF)…

California's public school system lacks the capacity to deliver on today's higher standards and expectations for all its students. Educators and policymakers believe that greater capacity will require additional funding. The more complex question, however, is, "How much funding would be adequate for California public schools?" This…

School spending decisions are made locally in California, mostly by the leaders in each school district. In making these decisions, local districts have to comply with the provisions of local collective bargaining contracts with employee unions and with state and federal regulations regarding how some money must be spent. An analysis of school…

This policy analysis presents the "new-school" finance, one that, in contrast to most discussions about funding that have concentrated on spending patterns only, asks how resources are used within schools and classrooms, and whether they are used in ways that can enhance educational outcomes. The analysis, directed toward policymakers…

An international research team examines California's system of postsecondary and higher education. In particular, the examination seeks answers on how California maintains educational quality, access, and equality while working with the market and the state in developing educational solutions to political, social, and economic problems. Part 1 of…

This report addresses the issue of how to reform and or restructure the educational system to respond more effectively to the needs of minority students and to prepare minority students for productive service and a better quality of life. In particular, the report discusses the achievement patterns of minority youth enrolled in California public…