Date of Graduation

12-2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

College/School

School of Education

Program

Organization & Leadership EdD

First Advisor

Danfeng Soto-Vigil Koon

Second Advisor

Nicola McClung

Third Advisor

Desiree Zerquera

Abstract

The 2013 Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is the first substantive finance reform measure in California specifically designed to provide additional funding to targeted student groups. The present study adopts Nancy Fraser’s (1995) theory of distribution and recognition justice to examine the allocation of resources under the new formula. Critical quantitative methodology is employed to investigate if students identified as being in poverty, English Learners (ELs), and African-American students, benefit under the LCFF. Pre- and post-LCFF comparisons of district level per pupil dollar allocations from LCFF, Other State, Federal, and Local resources are conducted. The findings show that post-2013, funding for all students has increased, with the distribution of resources under the new formula indicating that the LCFF is a progressive funding model. Students in poverty are afforded a substantive measure of recognition and distribution justice, with poverty status being the key determinant in LCFF resource distribution. Due to the unduplicated pupil count provision, EL status does not count in LCFF formula allocation. Targeted benefit for EL and African-American students is dependent on the intersection of these groups with poverty. Distributive justice under LCFF is also tempered by regressive trends in Other State and Local allocations. Recommendations for future research and policy consideration are given.

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