In fall 2008, the nation faced a historic economic crisis. No state government in the country was as severely shaken as California, where years of budget troubles preceded the national crisis.

The situation worsened throughout 2009, and state leaders repeatedly acted to balance the state budget. And because K-12 education represents the single largest state expenditure here, California's public schools were greatly affected.

This free two-page summary rounds up the key numbers for K-12 education from the 2009-10 budget and explains the fluctuations in funding and their impact on overall school funding.

For more detailed information, please see the full report: School Finance 2009-10: Budget Cataclysm and its Aftermath.

EdSource thanks the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, whose core support enabled the development and dissemination of this report.