LCFF-induced spending increases significantly improved math and reading achievement in every grade assessed, with the largest gains in districts receiving concentration grants¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · causal r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2023 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? LCFF significantly improved math and reading achievement in all tested grades (3rd–8th and 11th), with students in districts receiving concentration grants showing the largest achievement boost. → Johnson 2023 q2 i? Pre-LCFF placebo tests found no positive kink in achievement or revenues at the 55% disadvantage threshold, supporting a causal interpretation. → Johnson 2023 (2)

Evidence¶

Johnson 2023¶

Johnson, R. C. (2023). School funding effectiveness: Evidence from California's Local Control Funding Formula. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/529.194

q2 · i? · causal · r2

Quasi-experimental comparison of successive cohorts within the same schools as LCFF funding phased in. The kink at 55% high-need concentration shows larger achievement gains where concentration grants raised funding levels.

"LCFF resulted in significantly improved achievement in math and reading for all grade levels tested. Students in districts that received LCFF concentration grants had the largest achievement boost."

Johnson 2023 (2)¶

Johnson, R. C. (2023). School funding effectiveness: Evidence from California's Local Control Funding Formula. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/529.194

q2 · i? · causal · r2

Falsification test using pre-LCFF cohorts (Figures 7–8): the author reports no kink at the 55% disadvantage threshold before the reform, and no comparable pattern among Basic Aid districts ineligible for LCFF funds.

"there is no positive kink relationship in either per-pupil revenues (at 55%) or student achievement (at 55%) for pre-LCFF cohorts; the relationship is indeed flat and statistically insignificant"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• LCFF-induced spending increases of $1,000 per pupil for 3 consecutive years produced roughly a full grade-level increase in math and reading achievement in grades 3–8 — related
• LCFF-induced per-pupil spending increases caused improvements in math and reading achievement in districts receiving concentration grants — a narrower finding that bears on this claim
• Achievement gains lag in districts just below the 55% concentration-grant threshold, especially those enrolling 40–55% high-need students — related
• Student outcome improvements from LCFF funding were more pronounced for cohorts exposed to funding increases for more of their school-age years — related
• Spending effects varied across schools but were positive for every school that experienced the LCFF funding infusion — related