Equitable Local Funding: EdSource

Background

California schools, and our students, are suffering. There are several systemic reasons why schools in California tend to be underfunded relative to other states, but the most important is this: in California, communities have been written out of the power to support their schools. When communities lost the power to fund their schools, communities lost power. Therefore, communities feel disengaged with what's happening in their local schools. This disparity is growing ever larger and it's because of how policy is made: at the top, and not locally.

Working with esteemed public and private entities that are leaders in their field is one of Full Circle Fund's hallmarks, and there may be no other independent organization in California that has a better grasp of the key education issues than EdSource.

Mission

With a solid reputation as a credible and respected source of K–12 education information, research, analysis, and data over the past 30 years, EdSource's mission is to clarify complex education issues and to promote thoughtful policy decisions about public school improvement. Uniquely positioned as a non-advocacy based, nonpartisan resource, EdSource is an exciting partner for the Education Circle as they work to advance the state-wide conversation about equitable local school funding.

Full Circle Fund Role

Full Circle Fund supported EdSource to research, write, and publish a local funding issue brief. This publication was released in September 2009 and explains in simple, accessible terms how the school finance system has been controlled to date, raises the important questions about school funding, recommends resources for learning more, and suggests what further information will help inform education funding policy decision-making going forward.

Says Full Circle Fund Project Team Lead Natasha Hoehn, "The education system in California is incredibly complicated. EdSource is an expert at clarifying complex issues so that we and others can help engage deeply in solutions." She continued, "I can't think of a better partner because they provide Full Circle Fund with the most thoughtful, strategic point of entry into the school finance conversation. It's an exciting opportunity to support and partner with such a well respected group."

Additional Materials

Watch this video to hear EdSource Executive Director, Mary Perry, speak to the Education Circle on the day the policy brief, "Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California" was released.

NAME: EdSource
LOCATION: Mountain View
WEB: www.edsource.org
GRANT TERM: 2009-2010
TEAM LEAD: Natasha Hoehn