Senator announces legislation for transparency with schools

SACRAMENTO — Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced) announced Senate Bill 609, legislation to increase transparency in the use of supplemental and concentration funds intended for specific student groups.

Currently, the Superintendent of a school district is required to post their Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) on the internet website of the County Office of Education. Unfortunately, information can be difficult to find, and in some instances, buried deep within the COE’s website. Difficulty in accessing this critical information leaves no way for parents, community members or children’s advocate groups to determine if the supplemental concentration funds are used in a meaningful way to address California’s student achievement gap.

SB 609 will ensure parents and communities have access to information to  understand where multibillion dollar investments dedicated to improve the learning experience of students are made by streamlining access to the information. Specifically, this bill would require the California Department of Education (CDE) to post links to all County Office of Education local control and accountability plans (LCAP) on the California School Dashboard, which is easily accessible. The LCAP plans will also have a link or access to information on the local priorities for use of the supplemental and concentration funds.