Local Control Funding Formula

Mar 11, 2021
Black student walking towards the school door

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is California’s new system of funding its public schools. LCFF increases school funding and directs more resources to California’s high-need students: low-income, foster youth, and English language learner students.

To learn more, read our handout on the accountability plans that districts are required to create every year.

"There's an urgent need to close an enduring and troubling achievement gap between these highest need students and other California schoolchildren. The idea is to provide more funding and more services for these students so they can reach their educational goals."

Linnea Nelson, Education Equity Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Northern California

Know your rights

Everything you need to know about LCAPs

LCFF implementation developments

  • March 31, 2016
    ACLU-CA and Public Advocates sent a letter to the president of the State Board of Education re: LCAP implementation.

  • July 1, 2015
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates file a lawsuit against LAUSD and LACOE. 

  • July 3, 2015
    Equity coalition sent a letter to the president of the State Board of Education.

  • July 1, 2015
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates file a lawsuit against LAUSD and LACOE. 

  • June 23, 2015
    LAUSD's Board of Education adopts its 2015-16 LCAP, which continues to count $450 million in special education spending from 2013-14 as services for high-need students. As a result, the district avoids expending roughly $288 million to increase or improve services for the three high-need student groups.

  • June 9, 2015
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates sent a letter to all county and district superintendents.

  • January to June 2015
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates conduct various meetings and telephone calls with LAUSD to attempt to resolve the issue.

  • Dec. 19, 2014 
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates sent a letter to interim LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines, and the County Superintendent of Schools Antonio Delgado reiterating their serious concerns and advising the district they will pursue legal action unless LAUSD and LACOE agree to correct the LCAP.

  • Nov. 14, 2015
    The State Board of Education enacted permanent regulations to establish a framework for LCFF implementation. The provisions regarding how school districts determine supplemental and concentration spending remain unchanged.

  • Sep. 5, 2014
    LACOE approved LAUSD's 2014-15 LCAP without modification.

  • August 2014
    LACOE initially withheld approval of the LAUSD plan, seeking further explanation of the district's inclusion of the disputed $450 million in special education expenditures.

  • June 24, 2014
    The LAUSD school board adopts its 2014-15 LCAP, which improperly includes $450 million in expenditures on special education expenditures as part of its prior year expenditure estimate, depriving high-need students of approximately $126 million in increased or improved services for 2014-15.

  • June 6, 2014
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates contacted then-Superintendent John Deasy requesting that the district remove the $450 million in special education expenditures from its estimate of services for high-need students to comply with the statute and regulations.

  • May 22, 2014
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates sent a letter to all county and district superintendents in the state highlighting several critical legal requirements and advising them about resources the ACLU of CA and partners have created to support LCAP development and meaningful stakeholder participation.

  • April 2014
    LAUSD released its proposed LCAP that included $450 million in special education expenditures that reduces the amount of new state funds the district will spend on high-need students in 2014-15, violating the new law and regulations.

    ACLU of California and Public Advocates reach out ot LAUSD staff within days of this release to discuss the legality of the district's plan and inform LAUSD's chief operating officer that its proposal would violate the regulations.

  • March 17, 2014
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates sent a letter to State Board of Education on proposed permanent regulations for LCFF. The coalition sent a separate letter to the State Board of Education on the proposal.

  • Jan.16, 2014
    The State Board of Education enacted emergency regulations to establish a framework for LCFF implementation. These regulations require school districts to use supplemental and concentration funds to increase or improve services for all students in the three high-need student groups as compared to the services provided for all pupils.

  • Jan. 10, 2014
    ACLU of California and Public Advocates sent a letter to the State Board of Education on proposed emergency regulations for LCFF. The coalition also sent a letter to the board on the proposal.

  • Nov. 6, 2013
    A coalition of parent, student, community organizing and statewide advocacy groups sent a letter to State Board of Education.

  • Nov. 1, 2013
    ACLU California and Public Advocates sent a letter to the California State Board of Education.

  • July 24, 2013
    A broad coalition of education and civil rights organizations including the ACLU of California sent a letter to all county and district superintendents and charter school administrators in the state, urging immediate action to direct additional resources to the state’s neediest students. Coalition members will be monitoring budget actions and continuing to participate in local and state discussions regarding the LCFF and how to improve educational outcomes for all children in California. Read EdSource’s story on the coalition letter.

  • July 1, 2013
    California enacted the LCFF, a new education finance system.

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Racial & Economic Justice