Existing law establishes the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving their local control and accountability plan goals, and requires individuals and entities contracted by the fiscal agent of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence for those purposes to have expertise, experience, and a record of success in certain areas.

This bill would require the fiscal agent of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to also consider, for charter schools, whether a potential contractor has a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

Existing law establishes the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving their local control and accountability plan goals, and requires individuals and entities contracted by the fiscal agent of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence for those purposes to have expertise, experience, and a record of success in certain areas. Existing law authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction to assign the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to provide advice and assistance to a charter school that, for 3 out of 4 consecutive school years, fails to improve pupil outcomes for one or more priorities identified in the schools charter, as specified.

This bill would require the fiscal agent of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to give priority to a contractor with also consider, for charter schools, whether a potential contractor has a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes, provided that the contractor meets specified conditions. outcomes.

Existing law establishes the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving their local control and accountability plan goals, and requires individuals and entities contracted by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence for those purposes to have expertise, experience, and a record of success in certain areas. Existing law authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction to assign the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to provide advice and assistance to a charter school that, for 3 out of 4 consecutive school years, fails to improve pupil outcomes for one or more priorities identified in the schools charter, as specified.

This bill would require a contractor assigned by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence pursuant to those provisions to have the experience, expertise, and to give priority to a contractor with a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes. The bill would also identify working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes as one of the required areas of experience, expertise, and record of success for individuals and entities contracted by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence. outcomes, provided that the contractor meets specified conditions.

Existing law establishes the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving their local control and accountability plan goals, and requires individuals and entities contracted by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence for those purposes to have expertise, experience, and a record of success in certain areas. Existing law authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction to assign the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to provide advice and assistance to a charter school that, for 3 out of 4 consecutive school years, fails to improve pupil outcomes for one or more priorities identified in the schools charter, as specified.

This bill would require a contractor assigned by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence pursuant to those provisions to have the experience, expertise, and a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes. The bill would also identify working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes as one of the required areas of experience, expertise, and record of success for individuals and entities contracted by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence.

GOVERNOR'S VETO

GV Bill Id:AB 943

Author:(Travis Allen)

As Enrolled Ver:August 26, 2015

2/3 vote

Original Committee Reference: ED.

SUMMARY: Requires the fiscal agent of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), when contracting with an individual, local education agency, or other organization to provide assistance to a charter school, to consider whether the contractor has a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

The Senate amendments strike the requirement that the CCEE give priority to a contractor with success in working with charter schools, provided all other requirements are met, and instead require the CCEE to consider whether a potential contractor has such experience.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CCEE to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving the goals set forth in their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs).

2. Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction, at the request of the chartering authority and with the approval of the State Board of Education (SBE), to assign the CCEE to provide advice and assistance to a charter school that fails to achieve the goals set forth in its LCAP.

3. Requires the CCEE to contract with individuals, local educational agencies, or organizations to provide advice and assistance to local education agencies, including charter schools, that have either requested the advice and assistance or have been identified by the SPI and SBE as being in need of it.

4. Requires contractors to have expertise, experience, and a record of success in each of, but not limited to, the following areas:

   1. The eight state priorities that must be addressed by the LCAP;

   2. Improving the quality of teaching;

   3. Improving the quality of school district and schoolsite leadership; and

   4. Successfully addressing the needs of special pupil populations, including, but not limited to, English learners, pupils eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal, pupils if foster care, and individuals with exceptional needs.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: The purpose of this bill is to help ensure that a contractor that is assigned by the CCEE to provide assistance to a charter school has successful experience in working with charter schools. As it left the Assembly, this bill required the CCEE to give priority to a contractor with charter school experience, provided the contractor met all of the other requirements of a contractor. The author amended this bill in the Senate to require the CCEE instead to consider whether a potential contractor has charter school experience. According to the author's office, this amendment is intended to give the CCEE more flexibility to select the highest qualified contractor.

GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE:

This bill explicitly directs the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence to contract with a fiscal entity that has a "record of success" in working with charter schools to improve pupil outcomes.

The Collaborative is already directed under current law to contract with individuals with expertise, experience and a record of success. I am confident that the Collaborative, which began meeting in February and is composed of five appointees including two appointees from the Legislature, can handle it. Moreover, this bill strikes me as a bit of micromanagement that might well constrain the Collaborative in the exercise of its responsibilities.

Analysis Prepared by: Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0002527

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 943

Author:(Travis Allen)

As Amended Ver:July 9, 2015

Majority vote

Original Committee Reference: ED.

SUMMARY: Requires the fiscal agent of the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), when contracting with an individual, local education agency, or other organization to provide assistance to a charter school, to consider whether the contractor has a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

The Senate amendments strike the requirement that the CCEE give priority to a contractor with success in working with charter schools, provided all other requirements are met, and instead require the CCEE to consider whether a potential contractor has such experience.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CCEE to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving the goals set forth in their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs).

2. Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction, at the request of the chartering authority and with the approval of the State Board of Education (SBE), to assign the CCEE to provide advice and assistance to a charter school that fails to achieve the goals set forth in its LCAP.

3. Requires the CCEE to contract with individuals, local educational agencies, or organizations to provide advice and assistance to local education agencies, including charter schools, that have either requested the advice and assistance or have been identified by the SPI and SBE as being in need of it.

4. Requires contractors to have expertise, experience, and a record of success in each of, but not limited to, the following areas:

   1. The eight state priorities that must be addressed by the LCAP;

   2. Improving the quality of teaching;

   3. Improving the quality of school district and schoolsite leadership; and

   4. Successfully addressing the needs of special pupil populations, including, but not limited to, English learners, pupils eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal, pupils if foster care, and individuals with exceptional needs.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: The purpose of this bill is to help ensure that a contractor that is assigned by the CCEE to provide assistance to a charter school has successful experience in working with charter schools. As it left the Assembly, this bill required the CCEE to give priority to a contractor with charter school experience, provided the contractor met all of the other requirements of a contractor. The author amended this bill in the Senate to require the CCEE instead to consider whether a potential contractor has charter school experience. According to the author's office, this amendment is intended to give the CCEE more flexibility to select the highest qualified contractor.

Analysis Prepared by: Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0001360

 CONSENT  

Bill No: AB 943

Author: Travis Allen (R)

Amended: 7/9/15 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 7/1/15

AYES: Liu, Runner, Leyva, Mendoza, Monning, Pan, Vidak

NO VOTE RECORDED: Block, Hancock

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 74-0, 5/22/15 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Charter schools: California Collaborative for Educational Excellence

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill requires the fiscal agent for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), in selecting a potential contractor for a charter school, to consider whether that individual or organization has a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Authorizes the CCEE to provide advice and assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and charter schools in achieving the goals set forth in a local control and accountability plan (LCAP).

2. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), with approval of the State Board of Education (SBE), to contract with an LEA to serve as the fiscal agent for the CCEE.

3. Specifies that the CCEE shall be governed by a board consisting of the following five members:

1. The SPI or his/her designee;

2. The President of the SBE or his/her designee;

3. A superintendent of a county office of education appointed by the Senate Rules Committee;

4. A teacher appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly; and

5. A superintendent of a school district appointed by the Governor.

4. Provides that, at the direction of the board of the CCEE, the fiscal agent shall contract with individuals, LEAs or organizations with expertise, experience, and a record of success to carry out the purposes of implementing the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).

This bill requires the fiscal agent for the CCEE, in selecting a potential contractor for a charter school, to consider whether that individual or organization has a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

Background

AB 97 (Committee on Budget , Chapter 47, Statutes of 2013) created the LCFF, which consolidated most of the state’s categorical programs with general purpose revenue limit funding and would be phased in over the coming years. One of the main principles behind the LCFF is that English learners and low-income students require more attention and resources in the classroom than students who do not have these same challenges. By providing more services and additional funding to these student populations, it is widely believed that this will help close the achievement gap and help all students perform better.

In addition to the LCFF, the 2013 Budget Act established a new system for school accountability. Under the new system, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools are required to complete an LCAP. The LCAPs must include a district’s annual goals in each of the following eight state priority areas:

1. Student achievement;

2. Student engagement;

3. Other student outcomes;

4. School climate;

5. Implementation of the Common Core State Standards;

6. Course access;

7. Basic services; and

8. Parental involvement.

The LCAPs must also include both district wide goals and goals for specific subgroups. Districts are required to consult with stakeholders on their plans and hold at least two public hearings before adopting or updating their LCAP.

Comments

Need for the bill. According to the author’s office, existing law provides authority for the SPI to assign the CCEE to charter schools to reach their goals, and ultimately authorizes the chartering authority to close any charter school that does not meet the standards of its LCAP. The author’s office indicates this bill ensures that our California students have experts in their respective fields assisting their schools in helping them reach their educational goals.

Purpose of the CCEE. Existing law specifies that the purpose of the CCEE is to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving the goals set forth in their LCAPs. However, the CCEE board itself does not have a statutory role in evaluating LEA performance, determining which LEAs receive advice and assistance, or the delivery of advice and assistance. Those functions lay with the SPI, county superintendents of schools, and the individuals and organizations with whom the fiscal agent has contracted to provide those services. The advice and assistance may be provided upon request of an LEA (in which case the LEA pays for the cost). Alternatively, the CCEE may be assigned to an LEA upon the recommendation of the SPI, if the SPI and the county superintendent of schools in which the LEA exists, determine that assistance is needed to help the LEA achieve the goals it has specified for itself in its LCAP.

The 2013 Budget Act appropriated $10 million to establish this new system of support through the CCEE. The State Department of Education recommended, and the SBE approved, the selection of Riverside County Office of Education as the fiscal agent for the CCEE. Because the number of districts that will need assistance is unknown and the role of the CCEE is still unclear, the cost of the new support and intervention system going forward has yet to be determined. The CCEE board met only for the first time on February 25, 2015.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/17/15)

California Charter Schools Association

Charter Schools Development Center

EdVoice

StudentsFirst

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/17/15)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 74-0, 5/22/15

AYES: Achadjian, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins

NO VOTE RECORDED: Alejo, Jones, O’Donnell, Olsen, Waldron, Weber

Prepared by: Lenin Del Castillo / ED. / (916) 651-4105

8/18/15 17:18:09

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Carol Liu, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: AB 943

Subject: Charter schools: California Collaborative for Educational Excellence

SUMMARY

This bill requires that the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), when assigning a contractor to provide advice and assistance to a charter school, to give priority to a contractor that has expertise, experience, and a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Chapter 47, Statutes of 2013 (AB 97, Committee on Budget), and subsequent legislation created the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which consolidated most of the state’s categorical programs with general purpose revenue limit funding and would be phased in over the coming years. One of the main principles behind the LCFF is that English learners and low-income students require more attention and resources in the classroom than students who do not have these same challenges. By providing more services (and in turn, additional funding) to these student populations, it is widely believed that this will help close the achievement gap and help all students perform better.

In addition to the LCFF, the 2013 Budget established a new system for school accountability. Under the new system, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools are required to complete a local control and accountability plan (LCAP). The LCAP must include a district's annual goals in each of the following eight state priority areas:

1. Student achievement;

2. Student engagement;

3. Other student outcomes;

4. School climate;

5. Implementation of the Common Core State Standards;

6. Course access;

7. Basic services; and

8. Parental involvement.

The LCAPs must also include both district wide goals and goals for specific subgroups. Districts are required to consult with stakeholders on their plans and hold at least two public hearings before adopting or updating their LCAP.

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) legislation established a new system of school district support and intervention. The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) was created in order to provide advice and assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs). Under the new system, if an LEA does not meet performance expectations in the eight state priority areas, they could be subject to intervention by their County Office of Education or the CCEE. LEAs that are continuously not meeting performance standards, as specified, could be subject to intervention by the State Board of Education (SBE) and State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). However, LEAs also may seek assistance from the CCEE on their own.

Existing law specifies that the CCEE shall be governed by a board consisting of the following five members:

1. The SPI or his/her designee;

2. The President of the SBE or his/her designee;

3. A superintendent of a county office of education appointed by the Senate Rules Committee;

4. A teacher appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly; and

5. A superintendent of a school district appointed by the Governor.
   
   

Existing law also specifies that, at the direction of the board of the CCEE, the fiscal agent shall contract with individuals, LEAs or organizations with expertise, experience, and a record of success to carry out the purposes of the LCFF implementation.

ANALYSIS

This bill requires that the CCEE, when assigning a contractor to provide advice and assistance to a charter school, to give priority to a contractor that has expertise, experience, and a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author’s office, existing law provides authority for the SPI to assign the CCEE to charter schools to reach their goals, and ultimately authorizes the chartering authority to close any charter school that does not meet the standards of its local control and accountability plan (LCAP). The author’s office indicates this bill ensures that our California students have experts in their respective fields assisting their schools in helping them reach their educational goals.

2. Is the bill necessary? Under the direction of the SBE, the fiscal agent for the CCEE is required to contract with individuals, LEAs, or organizations to provide

advice and assistance to LEAs, including charter schools that have either requested the advice and assistance or have been identified by the SPI and SBE as being in need of it. The contractors must have expertise, experience, and a record of success that includes, but not be limited to, the following:

1. The eight state priorities;

2. Improving the quality of teaching;

3. Improving the quality of school district and schoolsite leadership; and

4. Successfully addressing the needs of special pupil populations, including, but not limited to, English learners, pupils eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal, pupils in foster care, and individuals with exceptional needs.

It appears that the fiscal agent already has the authority to contract with an entity that has expertise in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes. While the bill could help ensure that contractors assigned by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) have expertise and experience with charter schools, the Committee may wish to consider whether this bill is necessary.

Additionally, by requiring the CCEE to give priority to contractors with charter school experience, this bill could remove the CCEEs discretion in selecting the most qualified individual or organization and limit the pool of contractors to choose from. To the extent that a contractor is selected based primarily on its previous charter school experience, this could work against the best interests of a charter school if it is unable to provide the most effective support or technical assistance. To help alleviate these concerns, the author proposes to amend the bill and replace its current content with a provision requiring the fiscal agent for the CCEE, in selecting a potential contractor for a charter school, to consider whether that individual or organization has a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes. Staff concurs with this amendment as it would allow the CCEE the flexibility to contract with the best available individual or organization rather than statutorily requiring charter school experience to take precedent over potentially more important considerations.

3. Purpose of the CCEE. Current law specifies that the purpose of the CCEE is to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving the goals set forth in their local control and accountability plans (LCAPs). However, the CCEE board itself does not have a statutory role in evaluating local educational agency (LEA) performance, determining which LEAs receive advice and assistance, or the delivery of advice and assistance. Those functions lay with the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), county superintendents of schools, and the individuals and organizations with whom the fiscal agent has contracted to provide those services. The advice and assistance may be provided upon request of an LEA (in which case the LEA pays for the cost). Alternatively, the CCEE may be assigned to an LEA upon the recommendation of the SPI, if the SPI and the county superintendent of schools in which the LEA exists, determine that assistance is needed to help the LEA achieve the goals it has specified for itself in its LCAP.

The 2013 Budget Act appropriated $10 million to establish this new system of support through the CCEE. The State Department of Education recommended, and the State Board of Education approved, the selection of Riverside County Office of Education as the fiscal agent for the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE). Because the number of districts that will need assistance is unknown and the role of the CCEE is still unclear, the cost of the new support and intervention system going forward has yet to be determined. The CCEE board met only for the first time on February 25, 2015. The Governor's Proposed 2015 Budget does not include ongoing funding for the CCEE, but the Administration will be considering ongoing funding as the system is further developed.

4. Fiscal impact. According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, there could be an unknown, likely absorbable Proposition 98 General Fund impact and that the costs associated with providing a specific contractor will likely be absorbed within existing Proposition 98 General Fund support for the CCEE.

SUPPORT

California Charter Schools Association

Charter Schools Development Center

EdVoice

StudentsFirst

OPPOSITION

None received.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Carol Liu, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: AB 943

Subject: Charter schools: California Collaborative for Educational Excellence

SUMMARY

This bill requires that the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), when assigning a contractor to provide advice and assistance to a charter school, to give priority to a contractor that has expertise, experience, and a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Chapter 47, Statutes of 2013 (AB 97, Committee on Budget), and subsequent legislation created the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which consolidated most of the state’s categorical programs with general purpose revenue limit funding and would be phased in over the coming years. One of the main principles behind the LCFF is that English learners and low-income students require more attention and resources in the classroom than students who do not have these same challenges. By providing more services (and in turn, additional funding) to these student populations, it is widely believed that this will help close the achievement gap and help all students perform better.

In addition to the LCFF, the 2013 Budget established a new system for school accountability. Under the new system, school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools are required to complete a local control and accountability plan (LCAP). The LCAP must include a district's annual goals in each of the following eight state priority areas:

1. Student achievement;

2. Student engagement;

3. Other student outcomes;

4. School climate;

5. Implementation of the Common Core State Standards;

6. Course access;

7. Basic services; and

8. Parental involvement.

The LCAPs must also include both district wide goals and goals for specific subgroups. Districts are required to consult with stakeholders on their plans and hold at least two public hearings before adopting or updating their LCAP.

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) legislation established a new system of school district support and intervention. The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) was created in order to provide advice and assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs). Under the new system, if an LEA does not meet performance expectations in the eight state priority areas, they could be subject to intervention by their County Office of Education or the CCEE. LEAs that are continuously not meeting performance standards, as specified, could be subject to intervention by the State Board of Education (SBE) and State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). However, LEAs also may seek assistance from the CCEE on their own.

Existing law specifies that the CCEE shall be governed by a board consisting of the following five members:

1. The SPI or his/her designee;

2. The President of the SBE or his/her designee;

3. A superintendent of a county office of education appointed by the Senate Rules Committee;

4. A teacher appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly; and

5. A superintendent of a school district appointed by the Governor.
   
   

Existing law also specifies that, at the direction of the board of the CCEE, the fiscal agent shall contract with individuals, LEAs or organizations with expertise, experience, and a record of success to carry out the purposes of the LCFF implementation.

ANALYSIS

This bill requires that the CCEE, when assigning a contractor to provide advice and assistance to a charter school, to give priority to a contractor that has expertise, experience, and a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author’s office, existing law provides authority for the SPI to assign the CCEE to charter schools to reach their goals, and ultimately authorizes the chartering authority to close any charter school that does not meet the standards of its local control and accountability plan (LCAP). The author’s office indicates this bill ensures that our California students have experts in their respective fields assisting their schools in helping them reach their educational goals.

2. Is the bill necessary? Under the direction of the SBE, the fiscal agent for the CCEE is required to contract with individuals, LEAs, or organizations to provide advice and assistance to LEAs, including charter schools, that have either requested the advice and assistance or have been identified by the SPI and SBE as being in need of it. The contractors must have expertise, experience, and a record of success that includes, but not be limited to, the following:

1. The eight state priorities;

2. Improving the quality of teaching;

3. Improving the quality of school district and schoolsite leadership; and

4. Successfully addressing the needs of special pupil populations, including, but not limited to, English learners, pupils eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal, pupils in foster care, and individuals with exceptional needs.

It appears that the fiscal agent already has the authority to contract with an entity that has expertise in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes. While the bill could help ensure that contractors assigned by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) have expertise and experience with charter schools, the Committee may wish to consider whether this bill is necessary.

Additionally, by requiring the CCEE to give priority to contractors with charter school experience, this bill could remove the CCEE’s discretion in selecting the most qualified individual or organization and limit the pool of contractors to choose from. To the extent that a contractor is selected based in large part on its previous charter school experience, this could work against the best interests of a charter school if it is unable to provide the most effective support or technical assistance. For these reasons, staff recommends an amendment to make the bill’s provisions permissive and provide that the CCEE “may” give priority to a contractor with a record of success in working with charter schools. This would allow the CCEE the flexibility to contract with the best available individual or organization rather than statutorily requiring charter school experience to take precedent over potentially more important considerations.

3. Purpose of the CCEE. Current law specifies that the purpose of the CCEE is to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving the goals set forth in their local control and accountability plans (LCAPs). However, the CCEE board itself does not have a statutory role in evaluating local educational agency (LEA) performance, determining which LEAs receive advice and assistance, or the delivery of advice and assistance. Those functions lay with the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), county superintendents of schools, and the individuals and organizations with whom the fiscal agent has contracted to provide those services. The advice and assistance may be provided upon request of an LEA (in which case the LEA pays for the cost). Alternatively, the CCEE may be assigned to an LEA upon the recommendation of the SPI, if the SPI and the county superintendent of schools in which the LEA exists, determine that assistance is needed to help the LEA achieve the goals it has specified for itself in its LCAP.

The 2013 Budget Act appropriated $10 million to establish this new system of support through the CCEE. The State Department of Education recommended, and the State Board of Education approved, the selection of Riverside County Office of Education as the fiscal agent for the CCEE. Because the number of districts that will need assistance is unknown and the role of the CCEE is still unclear, the cost of the new support and intervention system going forward has yet to be determined. The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) board met only for the first time on February 25, 2015. The Governor's Proposed 2015 Budget does not include ongoing funding for the CCEE, but the Administration will be considering ongoing funding as the system is further developed.

4. Fiscal impact. According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, there could be an unknown, likely absorbable Proposition 98 General Fund impact and that the costs associated with providing a specific contractor will likely be absorbed within existing Proposition 98 General Fund support for the CCEE.

SUPPORT

California Charter Schools Association

Charter Schools Development Center

EdVoice

StudentsFirst

OPPOSITION

None received.

-- END --

Date of Hearing: May 13, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Jimmy Gomez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 943

Author:(Travis Allen) – As Amended Ver:May 4, 2015

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires that a contractor, that is assigned by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to provide advice and assistance to a charter school, to have expertise, experience, and a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Unknown, likely absorbable Proposition 98/GF impact. The 2014-15 Budget Act appropriated $10 million (Proposition 98/GF) for the CCEE. The CCEE has just been formed and is in the initial planning stages of determining how they will support schools.  Costs associated with providing a specific contractor will likely be absorbed within existing Proposition 98/GF support for the CCEE.

COMMENTS:

1. Background. The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) was created as part of the new LCFF accountability framework with the role to advise and assist school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education to achieve goals in their local plans and petitions under the LCFF. The 2013-14 budget provided $10 million in Proposition 98 funding for the CCEE. In May of 2014, the State Board of Education approved the Riverside County Office of Education as the Fiscal Agent for the CCEE. The CCEE is in the beginning stages and has not yet needed to assist struggling schools.

2. Purpose. The CCEE has the authority to hire contractors to advise, assist, and audit school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving their educational goals. This bill would require a CCEE contractor assigned to a charter school to have experience, specialized expertise, and a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes. According to the author, this will further ensure that the state is providing the best resources to our local schools to help them excel in providing education for our children

Analysis Prepared by: Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

O'Donnell, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 943

Author:(Travis Allen) – As Introduced Ver:February 26, 2015

SUBJECT:

Charter schools: California Collaborative for Educational Excellence.

SUMMARY:

Requires that a contractor that is assigned by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) to provide advice and assistance to a charter school, non-charter school, school district, or county office of education shall have expertise, experience, and a record of success in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes the CCEE to advise and assist school districts, county superintendents of schools, and charter schools in achieving the goals set forth in their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs).

2. Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction, at the request of the chartering authority and with the approval of the State Board of Education (SBE), to assign the CCEE to provide advice and assistance to a charter school that fails to achieve the goals set forth in its LCAP.

3. Requires the CCEE to contract with individuals, local educational agencies, or organizations to provide advice and assistance to local education agencies, including charter schools, that have either requested the advice and assistance or have been identified by the SPI and SBE as being in need of it.

4. Requires contractors to have expertise, experience, and a record of success in each of, but not limited to, the following areas:

1. The eight state priorities that must be addressed by the LCAP;

2. Improving the quality of teaching;

3. Improving the quality of school district and schoolsite leadership; and

4. Successfully addressing the needs of special pupil populations, including, but not limited to, English learners, pupils eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal, pupils if foster care, and individuals with exceptional needs.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Unknown

COMMENTS:

The CCEE was established with the enactment of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to provide accountability for pupil outcomes. The first level of accountability is provided by the LCAP, which is an annual plan adopted by each local education agency (LEA) to describe pupil outcome goals and how the LEA will use its resources to achieve those goals. The LCAP must address eight state priorities in the following areas:

• Teacher assignments and credentialing

• Implementation of SBE-adopted academic content and performance standards

• Parental involvement

• Pupil achievement

• Pupil engagement

• School climate

• Access to a broad course of study

• Pupil outcomes in the required areas of study for grades 7 to 12.

The purpose of the CCEE is to provide advice and assistance to LEAs that persistently struggle to meet expected outcomes. An LEA may request the assistance of the CCEE , or the CCEE may be assigned to an LEA by the SPI with the approval of the SBE if it persistently fails to meet specified pupil outcomes.

The CCEE is governed by a five-member board consisting of the SPI or his or her designee, the president of the SBE or his or her designee, a county superintendent appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, a teacher appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and a superintendent appointed by the Governor. An LEA selected by the SPI with SBE approval serves as the fiscal agent for the CCEE. Superintendent Tom Torlakson and the SBE have selected the Riverside County Office of Education to be the fiscal agent. The board had its first meeting on February 25, 2015, at which it adopted bylaws, elected officers, and appointed a subcommittee to conduct a search for an executive director.

Under the direction of the board, the fiscal agent is required to contract with individuals, local educational agencies, or organizations to provide advice and assistance to local education agencies, including charter schools, that have either requested the advice and assistance or have been identified by the SPI and SBE as being in need of it. The contractors must have expertise, experience, and a record of success that includes, but not be limited to, the following:

• The eight state priorities

• Improving the quality of teaching

• Improving the quality of school district and schoolsite leadership

• Successfully addressing the needs of special pupil populations, including, but not limited to, English learners, pupils eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal, pupils in foster care, and individuals with exceptional needs.

The fiscal agent already has the authority to contract with an individual, local education agency, or organization that has expertise in working with charter schools in improving pupil outcomes. This bill, however, requires all contractors to have that expertise by amending two sections of the Education Code. First, it amends Education Code Section 52074, which establishes general requirements for the CCEE. By amending this section, this bill requires all contractors to have charter school experience, even if that contractor will not be assigned to work with a charter school. Because there is no compelling reason that charter school expertise should be a prerequisite for working with non-charter schools, staff recommends that this provision be deleted from the bill.

Charter schools could get lower quality support. This bill amends Education Code Section 47607.3, which applies specifically to charter schools. Accordingly, this provision does not affect non-charter LEAs. However, if it is desirable to have an individual or organization with charter school experience provide advice and assistance to an underperforming charter school, the CCEE already has the authority to do so. But this requirement would preclude the CCEE from contracting with an individual or entity that has a better track record in assisting low performing schools if that individual or entity did not also have experience working with charter schools. This could work against the best interests of the charter school involved by providing it with lower quality and less effective assistance. The committee may wish to consider the trade-off between giving the CCEE the flexibility to contract with the best available individual or entity versus statutorily requiring charter school experience to trump other considerations.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

EdVoice

Students First

Opposition

None received

Analysis Prepared by:

Rick Pratt / ED. / (916) 319-2087