Early Learning and Local Control Funding Formula

January 30, 2014

LAUP is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to quality preschool in Los Angeles County

Have funded and supported a network of over 80,000 children with a mix of providers since inception

Implementing other efforts to support quality early learning outside of our direct funding: California Signature Program Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge LA County ECE Workforce Consortium

About LAUP

61% of LAUP children with reported income data came from families making below $30,000

The majority (at least 70%) of LAUP children who were tested in 2011-12 made significant progress in key areas for Kindergarten success: vocabulary, math, fine motor skills, and social-emotional development

76% of English speakers and 93% of Spanish speakers made significant improvements in math skills

The vocabulary gains made by English learning children outperformed their national peers

99% of children exhibited a high level of attention required for success in kindergarten as opposed to the national average of 85%

LAUP students are more ready for Kindergarten

Multi-state study of 5,000 children in state-funded preschool programs compared to their peers:

By age 3, children of middle-class homes hear 30 million more words than children from low-income families.

By third grade, children who are reading at grade level are four times more likely to graduate from high school than students who are not proficient readers.

The long-term positive effects of preschool are especially important for at-risk children who, without early intervention will often struggle to overcome an achievement gap that grows with every academic year.

Early learning is a powerful tool

44% more math skills improvement

35% more vocabulary growth

New school finance system based on two principles: Schools need more resources to support certain

students Schools need more flexibility with the use of

resources

New autonomy and responsibility for districts: Create a Local Control Accountability Plan to

demonstrate how new resources will help achieve each of 8 state priorities

Must develop strategies for English Language Learners, low-income and foster youth students.

Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF)

Early Learning Meets Priorities

Student Achievement ÜPerformance on standardized testsÜShare of ELs that become English proficientÜ Shareof students that are college and career ready

Parental Involvement ÜPromotion of parental participation

Student Engagement ÜHigh school dropout/graduation ratesÜChronic absenteeism rates

Other Student Outcomes ÜOther indicators of student performance in required areas of study.

Basic Services

School Climate

Implementation of Common Core Standards

Course Access

Potential ECE Uses for LCFF Dollars

Serve more children• Hire staff• Purchase materials• Repurpose facilities

Classroom quality

• Participate in Quality Rating and Improvement System and/or coaching

• Improve teacher : child ratios• Professional development• Parental involvement

opportunitiesPre-K – 3rd grade transition/articulation

• Joint professional development• Align goals and metrics

Community-based preschools coordination

• Co-host parent engagement activities

• Align goals and metrics

Investing in high quality early education impacts student achievement and several state priorities.

However, investment also has a positive budgetary impact for school districts: Reduce cost of special education Reduce cost of remedial education Reduce cost of grade retention

Long term investment in quality preschool for all four year olds will save the state-wide K-12 system over $1 billion annually.

Barnett, W. Steven, Ph.D. “Expanding Access to Quality Pre-K is Sound Public Policy.” National Institute for Early Education Research. Rutger, The State University of New Jersey, Dec 2013.

Invest Now, Save Later

LAUP funds over 27 school districts in Los Angeles County serving preschool children.

The school districts deliver direct services and LAUP provides quality and technical support.

School districts in LA County have prioritized quality early learning and have seen an increase in third grade STAR scores as a result.

Impactful stories: Lennox and Lynwood Unified School Districts

LA County School Districts and Preschool

Stakeholder Engagement Find ways to reach out to parents of preschoolers.

Children entering kindergarten next year will start from day one with the new LCFF regulations.

LCAP provides a plan for three years Districts can create a three plan that includes increase

investment in and commitment to early learning over time.

Districts need to prioritize early learning. SB 837, Kindergarten Readiness Act, hasn’t passed yet President’s proposal for early learning hasn’t won

bipartisan support

LAUP and our partners are here to help!

Districts need to meet own needs