California Funds Common Core Standards Implementation

California budget gives schools money for Common Core standards

California budget includes $1.25 billion for Common Core

By CLAUDIA MELÉNDEZ SALINAS
Herald Staff Writer

Posted:   06/12/2013 10:54:13 PM PDT

Updated:   06/12/2013 10:54:13 PM PDT

In addition to revamping the way schools receive money, the California budget compromise expected to be voted on Friday will give schools funds to implement new educational standards.

The proposed budget allocates $1.25 billion in one-time money to help schools implement the Common Core Standards, a set of measures designed to increase students' analytical skills. The funding, to be distributed over two years, works out to about $200 per student.

"This budget puts California where it belongs: leading the way in the drive to bring the Common Core State Standards to life in our classrooms and prepare students to contribute to our state's future," California Superintendent of Schools Tom Torlakson said in a prepared statement.

"Dedicating more than $1 billion to training teachers, buying new materials and investing in technology will help ensure that all children, no matter where they come from or what school they attend, receive the kind of world-class education they deserve."

The goal of Common Core is to increase students' analytical and thinking skills by lowering the number of standards they are supposed to learn but increasing the depth of knowledge about each standard that remains.

Common Core is supposed to be implemented by the 2014-15 school year, with the first testing to take place in 2015. While some critics believe the lack of money will make this date hard to reach, California's top education administrators have not indicated there will be a delay in implementation.

The allocated money is supposed to be used in three areas needed for Common Core implementation: equipment (all students eventually will be expected to take computerized tests), teacher training and new materials, such as books.

Monterey County is expected to receive an estimated $15 million. The larger districts will get more money, with Salinas Union High School District at the top of the list with about $2.7 million, followed by Monterey Peninsula Unified with about $2.2 million.

While many educators are cheering the news, some believe it will not be enough to cover all the costs of implementing the new program.

"We believe we'll have to spend more," said Jerry Stratton, assistant superintendent of business services at Salinas City Elementary School District. "I think it's going to cost us over $2 million by the time it is implemented."

According to the most recent figures, Salinas City Elementary could get about $1.7 million in Common Core funds.

The last time California adopted new standards in 2001, the costs hovered around $3 billion, said Kevin Gordon, a Sacramento-based education consultant.

When Gov. Jerry Brown first presented his proposed budget, there was nothing in it to reimburse districts for the new mandate.

"At the May revision, the governor had an opportunity to insert a billion for the purposes of Common Core — one-time money," Gordon said.

The state Senate wanted $1.5 billion, and the compromise ended up being $1.25 billion.

"It's more money than most school districts expected to see," he said.

Most school districts in Monterey County have at least started discussing what it will take for them to begin the transition.