California Department of Education

California Department of Education
Name	California Department of Education
Formed	01 July 1921
Preceding1	California Department of Public Instruction
Jurisdiction	Government of California
Headquarters	1430 N Street, Sacramento, California
Chief1 name	Tony Thurmond
Chief1 position	State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Parent department	California State Board of Education
Website	https://www.cde.ca.gov

California Department of Education. The California Department of Education is the primary state agency responsible for overseeing public education in California, operating under the direction of the California State Board of Education and the elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. It administers funding, sets academic standards, and provides guidance to the state's extensive network of school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools. The department plays a central role in implementing state and federal education laws, including the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Local Control Funding Formula.

History

The department's origins trace back to the first California Constitution of 1849, which established the office of the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. It was formally organized as the California Department of Education in 1921, succeeding the earlier California Department of Public Instruction. Key historical developments include its role in the post-World War II expansion of the California Master Plan for Higher Education and its implementation of major reforms like the Serrano v. Priest school finance decisions and the Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999. The department has also been instrumental in executing federal mandates from laws such as the No Child Left Behind Act.

Organization and leadership

The department is led by the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a nonpartisan statewide elected official who serves as its director and the executive officer of the California State Board of Education; the current superintendent is Tony Thurmond. The board itself is an 11-member body appointed by the Governor of California, with approval from the California State Senate, which sets broad education policy. Internal divisions within the department include branches focused on curriculum frameworks, special education, assessment, and finance, all headquartered in Sacramento, California. The department works closely with local agencies like the Los Angeles Unified School District and the San Francisco Unified School District.

Responsibilities and functions

The department's core responsibilities include distributing state and federal funds through mechanisms like the Local Control Funding Formula and administering programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act. It develops and adopts curriculum frameworks and academic standards across subjects, while also overseeing the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress system. Additional functions involve monitoring compliance with state codes like the California Education Code, providing support for special education services, and accrediting teacher preparation programs in conjunction with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Key initiatives and programs

Major ongoing initiatives include the implementation of the California Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics. The department administers the Local Control and Accountability Plan process, which requires districts to set goals for student subgroups. It also oversees significant early education programs like the California State Preschool Program and career technical education pathways through the Linked Learning approach. Other critical programs focus on nutrition via the National School Lunch Program and supporting English learners through the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California.

Budget and funding

The department manages the largest share of the California state budget, with funding primarily derived from the California General Fund and proceeds from Proposition 98. Its budget allocates billions to school districts through the Local Control Funding Formula, which provides base grants along with supplemental and concentration grants for foster youth, English learners, and low-income students. Significant federal funding sources include Title I of the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Additional local revenue comes from voter-approved parcel taxes and school bonds like those under Proposition 39.

Controversies and criticism

The department has faced controversy over persistent achievement gaps among student subgroups and litigation such as the Williams v. California case regarding equitable resources. Its implementation of the Common Core State Standards Initiative and associated assessments like the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium tests has drawn criticism from some parents and advocacy groups. Other debates have centered on the effectiveness of the Local Control Funding Formula and content within the health education framework, including the California Healthy Youth Act. The department has also been involved in legal disputes over charter school authorization and policies affecting LGBT students.

Category:Education in California Category:State agencies of California Category:1921 establishments in California