State education policy in california

Abstract

California education policy makers are among the most active in the nation. The dynamics of policy formation in this state are complex and fast-paced, with virtually every important dimension of the school system affected by recent state level decisions. Structurally, the current period began in 1968 when SB 1 passed the legislature and was signed into law. This bill, frequently called the Magna Carta of education, removed many state mandates for school programs and curriculum requirements, returning control of most issues to the local school districts. Reform movements of the late 60s and early 70s soon began to erode this newly established local control, of course, but for a brief moment the state succeeded in restoring power and prestige to local school boards. Before long, however, the state was thrust into the very center of policy when the California Supreme Court held inequities resulting from a school district finance system based on local property taxes to be in violation of the state constitution (Serano v. Priest, 1972). Within a decade, the passage of a major property tax reform referendum, the infamous Proposition 13, virtually cancelled the fiscal autonomy of local boards and ushered in a period of sweeping change in school finance and governance. Other changes were brought on by the efforts of two reform oriented superintendents of public instruction (Wilson Riles and Bill Honig) and a very active legislature. Riles successfully encouraged rapid expansion of categorical programs for various special populations and attempted to