The resources below provide background for the EdSource 2010 Forum, California at a Crossroads: Crisis and Opportunity.

I. California's Fiscal Crisis and its Impact on K-12 Education and Community Colleges

From the Legislative Analyst's Office: 

• The 2010-11 Budget: Proposition 98 and K-12 Education 
  The LAO presents its assessment of the governor’s budget proposal and presents an alternative budget plan.
• Education Mandates: Overhauling a Broken System 
  The LAO recommends comprehensive reform of K–14 mandates.
• California's Fiscal Outlook: The 2010-11 Budget
  The LAO's November 18, 2009 forecast of California’s General Fund revenues and expenditures.

From EdSource: 

• School Finance Highlights 2009-10: The Impact of the Fiscal Crisis on California Public Schools 
  This free 2-page summary provides key numbers for K-12 education from the 2009-10 budget.
• School Finance on the EdSource Website
  This section provides clear, impartial information on issues related to school finance, including summaries of recent decisions and explanations of how the school finance system works.
  • Budget Basics for Schools and Communities This page provides links to information on the site that can help you understand and explain California's complex school finance system.

II. Middle Grades Practices and Student Achievement: Why Do Some Schools Do Better?

From EdSource: 

• Gaining Ground in the Middle Grades: Why Some Schools Do Better
  This page lists the complete set of materials pertaining to our Middle Grades Study.

III. Who Will Be California's Next Superintendent of Public Instruction?

The state superintendent serves as the official spokesperson and advocate for California public schools and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the California Department of Education (CDE), including determining the department's priorities.

The election for Superintendent of Public Instruction will be on June 8. If one candidate does not receive more than 50% of the votes, then the top two vote getters will face off in November. The new superintendent will serve a four-year term beginning in January 2011.  

From EdSource: 

• Governance of Public Schools
  This page describes the role and responsibilities of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and how that position fits into the overall governance of California's public schools. 

About the candidates: 

• Larry Aceves, a former teacher, principal, and school district superintendent, is past president of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). Read more>
  
• Gloria Romero, a former professor at California State University, Los Angeles, is a California state senator, chair of the Senate Education Committee and of the Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee on Education. Read more>
• Tom Torlakson, a former teacher and state senator, is a California assembly member, chair of the Assembly’s Select Committee on Schools and Community, and a member of the Education and Appropriations committees. Read more> 

IV. The Community College System: Higher Expectations, Greater Challenges, New Approaches

From EdSource: 

• Community College Funding 2009–10: Increased Demand, Reduced Resources
  This issue brief on community college funding looks at the current enrollment pressures on community colleges and the resources available.
• California's Community Colleges
  This section on our website provides background and resources on California's community college system, including governance and students.