LEARN ABOUT LCFF
What is LCFF?
LCFF is the way the state decides how much money each school district receives and provides rules about how school districts may spend this money. Watch this 68-second video for a quick overview.
LCFF is important because it is designed to help high-need students succeed, increase decision-making power for families, and create schools where students with greater needs have more money for enhanced resources designed to meet their specific needs. When it is working correctly, LCFF allows community members to (1) learn how and why their school districts are spending their money, (2) give feedback on how the money is spent, and (3) force the district to spend the money the right way if it’s doing something wrong.
What is the Local Control and Accountability Plan (“LCAP”)?
Districts must publish a spending plan called the LCAP every 3 years and must update it every year. Every year, the district must ask the community how it wants to spend its money. This provides you with an opportunity to fight for the things that are important to you and your community. For more information about your participation rights under LCFF, see this Student Voice Know Your Rights poster from Californians for Justice. For parent participation and language rights under LCFF, check out this Know Your Rights handout.
Resources to learn more about LCFF and LCAPs
- #WeMakeLCFFWork LCFF resources webpage – Public Advocates
- A Parent’s Guide to School Funding – Families in Schools
- Parent Engagement Toolkit – United Way Los Angeles & CLASS Coalition
- Click here for sample LCAP presentations that you can tailor for your own community.
- You can also find a LCFF campaign timeline and sample advocacy plan in our full LCAP campaign toolkit.
