What is the main goal of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)?

The primary goal of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is to ensure funding equity and increase local agency over budgets. This reform was designed to address historical disparities in the way education funding was allocated in California, particularly for disadvantaged students, including those from low-income families, English learners, and foster youth.

By shifting to a formula that considers specific student needs, LCFF allows local education agencies more flexibility and control over how they use their funds to support their communities. This approach empowers school districts to allocate resources according to their unique contexts and challenges, promoting a more equitable education system where funding aligns with the needs of each population served.

This focus on local control and equity stands in contrast to options that suggest centralized control, reduction of funding for specific schools, or a shift of all funding responsibilities to the state, which do not align with the principles underlying LCFF.