School finance: categorical programs.

Existing law establishes the public school system in this state, and, among other things, provides for the establishment of county superintendents of schools, school districts, and charter schools throughout the state and for their provision of instruction at the public elementary and secondary schools these local educational agencies maintain. Existing law establishes a public school financing system that requires state funding for county superintendents of schools, school districts, and charter schools to be calculated pursuant to a local control funding formula, as specified. Existing law establishes various education programs under which funding is provided for specific educational purposes, which are commonly known as categorical programs, including, among many others, programs for community-based English tutoring, teacher training, and class size reduction. Existing law further authorizes local educational agencies to expend, for any local educational purpose, the funds previously required to be spent on specified categorical education programs. This bill would repeal many provisions requiring, authorizing, or prescribing the elements of certain categorical education programs, and would make conforming changes, correct cross-references, and make other nonsubstantive changes.