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State Role In Capacity Building

Murphy, P. & Warren, P. (2014). California’s transition to the Common Core State Standards: The state’s role in local capacity building. San Francisco, CA: Public Policy Institute of California. Available at PPIC.org.

In light of the changing landscape of the California K-12 education system driven by the Common State Standards (CCSS) and the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), this report presents strategies from three early implementing states—Kentucky, New York, and Tennessee—that the California Department of Education (CDE) might consider as it redefines its role in building the capacity of the state’s K-12 education system.  Because of its widespread adoption, the CCSS presents a unique opportunity for the state to take advantage of the economies of scale in instructional materials and methods. In response to this opportunity, the authors recommend that the state consider shifting its instructional materials criteria to meet those of existing state implementers and subsequently offer consumer reports guides on course materials and professional development services.  Similarly, because of its allocation mechanisms, the LCFF creates a unique opportunity for CDE to share promising practices to meet the needs of traditionally underserved populations. The authors consider these opportunities and provide a list of evidence-based mechanisms for which the state can support districts in decision-making as an information hub.