SB 1396 Summary

• Establishes a 3-year Maximum Categorical Education Flexibility Pilot Program for fiscal years 2011-12 through 2013-14, allowing up to 3 school districts to receive categorical education funding as special apportionments that can be used flexibly for any purpose related to improving pupil achievement and academic instruction.

• Eligible school districts must develop a plan to accelerate pupil progress to proficiency, demonstrate management stability, have community and teacher/parent support (at least 50% each), and meet requirements for English learner programs and curricula.

• Selected districts receive 2009-10 funding amounts for Economic Impact Aid, Class Size Reduction, Transportation (excluding special education), and other specified categorical programs, adjusted proportionally for budget changes.

• Participating districts must comply with public input requirements through at least two governing board meetings before decisions on fund use, maintain English learner coordination staff and parent committees, and submit annual evaluative and expenditure reports tracking per-pupil spending by student subgroups.

• Superintendent must contract for an independent evaluation including an interim report within 18 months and a final report by December 31, 2014, assessing the program's success and recommending whether to continue it; waivers of chapter provisions are prohibited.