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Youth on LCAP Students Weigh In On Spending Needs
Marissa Vang Contributor
Fresno Unified School District is now in the process of creating its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) for the 2015-16 school year. This is a critical moment for students to get involved to ensure the LCAP directs state funding to the students who need it most.
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The LCAP process was introduced as part of the Local Control Funding Formula, enacted by Gov. Brown in 2013 to bring more equity to how Sacramento funds public education. LCFF apportions state funding to districts based on the number of high-need students enrolled. The target populations include low income students, English learners and foster youth.
Under LCFF, districts also have more leeway in deciding just how they will spend state money though they are required to engage the community as part of that process. Earlier this year the State Board of Education approved a plan that gives students a seat at that table.
We, as students, need to get involved because we are the ones who will be affected most by how the money is spent. This is our chance to help shape decisions around technology upgrades in class, healthier lunches in the cafeteria, or increasing classes for the many English Learner students in Fresno.
The point is this is our education! And this is our chance to make our voice heard.
Schools need to do more to encourage students to get involved. the LCAP is a teriffic learning tool. Schools should provide assignments or extra credit to students for participating in LCAP discussions. This happens with other events all the time. Also, schools should encourage in-class discussion on how money is spent on education. Doing so could help inspire more young people to get involved at school and in the community.
Students, take advantage of these discussions. Your voice can be heard. Help yourself and your peers get a better education by telling the district what you think your school needs.
I asked students at Edison High School what they thought LCFF dollars should be spent on. Below are a few of their responses.
