The LCFF Test Kitchen provides local education agencies (LEAs) with the support and space to implement the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) while addressing the challenges of creating a local control and accountability plan (LCAP).
As the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) moves through its fifth year of implementation, districts, counties, and the communities they serve continue to navigate challenges with a central process and product of the LCFF, the local control and accountability plan (LCAP). The LCFF Test Kitchen provides local education agencies (LEAs) with the support and space to implement a solution that addresses these challenges by leveraging the wisdom of local implementers. To that end, Azusa Unified School District (USD), Elk Grove USD, and Oceanside USD are engaging in a user-centered design process to develop alternative approaches to meet the purposes of the LCAP. The LCFF Test Kitchen is led through a partnership between the California Collaborative for Education Excellence, WestEd, the California Collaborative on District Reform, Pivot Learning, and participating LEAs.
As participants in the LCFF Test Kitchen, Azusa USD, Elk Grove USD, and Oceanside USD are participating in a network of diverse stakeholders organized as design teams that are responding to a design challenge—a problem reframed as an opportunity that identifies an explicit focus. Based on conversations with stakeholders from around the state, the Test Kitchen anchors the design challenge on the following two questions:
The participating LEAs are engaging directly with subject matter experts and experienced facilitators of the Design Process in both virtual and full network settings. They also have regular opportunities to connect with LEA colleagues to share best practices and troubleshoot challenges.