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Full Circle Fund has learned countless important lessons through its work to improve education in California. Two of the most critical are: we need to go upstream to change the systemic issues that plague the troubled system, and, we can’t do it alone.

Working with esteemed public and private entities that are leaders in their field is one of Full Circle Fund’s hallmarks, and there may be no other independent organization in California that has a better grasp of the key education issues than EdSource. With a solid reputation as a credible and respected source of K–12 education information, research, analysis, and data over the past 30 years, its mission is to clarify complex education issues and to promote thoughtful policy decisions about public school improvement. Uniquely positioned as a non-advocacy based, nonpartisan resource, EdSource is an exciting new partner for the Education Circle as they work to advance the state-wide conversation about equitable local school funding.

Why local funding for schools? California schools, and our students, are suffering. There are several systemic reasons why schools in California tend to be underfunded relative to other states, but the most important is this: in California, communities have been written out of the power to support their schools. When communities lost the power to fund their schools, communities lost power. Therefore, communities feel disengaged with what’s happening in their local schools. This disparity is growing ever larger and it’s because of how policy is made: at the top, and not locally.

Full Circle Fund’s first order of business is supporting EdSource as they research, write, and publish a “Local Funding Issue Brief”. This publication, to be released in September, will explain in simple, accessible terms how school finance system has been controlled to date, raise the important questions about school funding, recommend resources for learning more, and suggest what further information will help inform education funding policy decision-making going forward. Members will aid in the dissemination of the report’s findings, examine the content and determine what makes the most sense among all the solutions, and infuse this knowledge into the dialogue as they engage in finding solutions to systemic problems. Answers from this report will also inform the way the Education Circle engages in the California Constitutional Convention conversation.

“Education matters,” Jeff Camp, Chair of the Education Circle, reminded us at the recent town hall-style convening discussing a possible California Constitutional Convention, “When kids get an education, they have a life of options. They grow up participating fully in America. They build skills that ensure their future. They earn income to support themselves, their families, and their community. Lack of education, by contrast, correlates with poverty, hardships, ill health, and behaviors that cost all of us.”

Says Full Circle Fund Member Natasha Hoehn, “The education system in California is incredibly complicated. EdSource is an expert at clarifying complex issues so that we and others can help engage deeply in solutions.” She continued, “I can’t think of a better partner because they provide Full Circle Fund with the most thoughtful, strategic point of entry into the school finance conversation. It’s an exciting opportunity to support and partner with such a well respected group.”

Natasha is the Systemic Change Project Team Lead, and will oversee the work of 21 other members during this project.

Posted in Local Funding, EdSource, Natasha Hoehn, jeff camp, education, grantees