Leadership magazine Sept/Oct 2014 V 44 No 1 | Page 12

The key to long-term
success with the LCAP
process is evaluating what
is working well and what
needs still exist, and then
constantly striving to
strengthen your efforts.

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Leadership

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alifornia’s new Local Control
Funding Formula law offers a
historic opportunity for school
administrators throughout the
state to help usher in a new era of parent and
family engagement in our schools. It’s an exciting time – a moment parents and educators must seize together to help all children
succeed.
Now that we have all navigated the previously uncharted waters of the LCFF and
Local Control and Accountability Plans for
the first time in our districts, it’s also a good
time to reflect on the initial implementation
process – what worked, what can be improved – so we can continue to strengthen
our efforts moving forward, recognizing
that the LCAP is not a one-time state plan,
but rather an ongoing, new way of operating
in all of California’s 1,000 school districts.
School and district administrators as well
as teachers play a pivotal role in leading this
process by facilitating family engagement in
meaningful ways that will fulfill the promise
of LCFF and improve outcomes for all students. When families, schools and commu-

nities work as partners, student achievement
is boosted and children are better prepared
to lead happy and productive lives.
Informing and educating all parents
about LCFF is a top priority for California
State PTA. As a grass roots association with
more than a century of experience in connecting families and schools and helping
parents develop leadership, communications and advocacy skills, we have been developing and sharing a range of information,
training and resources to support parents,
schools and districts.

Raising awareness: Tips for school leaders
Based on our work, we’ve developed a list
of important tips and strategies for school
leaders to keep in mind as you continue to
assess and strengthen your local plans, build
community capacity, and embrace the potential of LCFF and your parents and families to improve learning.
A poll conducted last fall by EdSource

By Colleen A.R. You and Paul Richman