What is LCAP?
The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a 3-year academic plan developed and annually updated by each charter to show how they intend to use targeted state and local funds to improve academic outcomes for socioeconomically disadvantaged (low income), homeless, foster, English Learner (EL) and Special Education (SPED) student subgroups, and to share their stories of how, what, and why programs and services are selected to meet their needs.
The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is how the charter funds their LCAP plan through Supplemental and Concentration (S/C) funding, provided by the state based on the enrollment of the above student subgroups, with the intention of closing the achievement gap.
LCFF Supplemental and Concentration (S/C) Funding is extra funding the charter gets that must be used exclusively to improve the academic performance of these student subgroups and documented throughout the LCAP.
Each LCAP plan needs to align with these 8 California State Priorities in order to be in compliance and to fully support each student subgroup:
- Priority 1: Basic Services: Providing all students access to fully credentialed teachers, instructional materials that align with state standards, and facilities that are maintained in good repair.
- Priority 2: Implementation of State Standards: Implementing California’s academic standards, including the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and math, Next Generation Science Standards, English language development, history-social science, visual and performing arts, health education, and physical education standards.
- Priority 3: Parental Involvement: Districts will seek parent input in decision-making and they will promote parent participation in the educational programs of all students.
- Priority 4: Student Achievement: Improving student achievement and outcomes along multiple measures, including test scores, English proficiency and college & career preparedness.
- Priority 5: Student Engagement: Measured by school attendance rates, chronic absenteeism rates, dropout rates, and high school graduation rates.
- Priority 6: School Climate: Measured by student suspension and expulsion rates, and other locally identified means, such as surveys of pupils, parents, and teachers on the sense of school safety and connectedness.
- Priority 7: Course Access: Student enrollment in a broad course of study that includes all of the above subject areas.
- Priority 8: Pupil Outcomes: Includes the measurement of other important student outcomes related to required areas of study, including physical education and the arts.
