The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) Calculator is a tool designed to help schools in California estimate the amount of funding they will receive. This funding model aims to provide more equitable resources to schools with higher numbers of disadvantaged students, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Purpose and Functionality
The LCFF Calculator’s primary purpose is to estimate the funding a school or district will receive based on several factors. These include the number of students, the percentage of disadvantaged students, and specific grant percentages. By inputting these details into the calculator, schools can plan their budgets more effectively and allocate resources where they are most needed.
How It Works
To use the LCFF Calculator, you need to provide the following inputs:
- Base Grant Amount: This is the amount of money allocated per student, which can vary by grade level.
- Number of Students: The total number of students enrolled in the school or district.
- Grade Level Weights: Different weights are applied for different grade spans (K-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12).
- Supplemental Grant Percentage: This is an additional percentage increase for disadvantaged students.
- Concentration Grant Percentage: This is an extra percentage increase for districts where more than 55% of students are disadvantaged.
- Percentage of Disadvantaged Students: This includes students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, English learners, or foster youth.
Formulas and Calculations
The calculator uses the following formulas to determine the total LCFF funding:
- Base Grant Calculation:
[\text{Base Grant} = \text{Base Grant Amount} \times \text{Number of Students}] - Supplemental Grant Calculation:
[\text{Supplemental Grant} = \text{Base Grant} \times \text{Supplemental Grant Percentage} \times \left(\frac{\text{Percentage of Disadvantaged Students}}{100}\right)] - Concentration Grant Calculation (if Percentage of Disadvantaged Students > 55%):
[\text{Concentration Grant} = \text{Base Grant} \times \text{Concentration Grant Percentage} \times \left(\frac{\text{Percentage of Disadvantaged Students} – 55}{100}\right)] - Total LCFF Funding Calculation:
[\text{Total LCFF Funding} = \text{Base Grant} + \text{Supplemental Grant} + \text{Concentration Grant}]
Example Calculation
Let’s walk through an example to see how the LCFF Calculator works:
Inputs:
- Base Grant Amount: $7,000 per student
- Number of Students: 1,000
- Supplemental Grant Percentage: 20%
- Concentration Grant Percentage: 50%
- Percentage of Disadvantaged Students: 60%
Calculations:
- Base Grant:
[\text{Base Grant} = 7,000 \times 1,000 = \$7,000,000] - Supplemental Grant:
[\text{Supplemental Grant} = 7,000,000 \times 0.20 \times \left(\frac{60}{100}\right) = 7,000,000 \times 0.20 \times 0.60 = \$840,000] - Concentration Grant:
[\text{Concentration Grant} = 7,000,000 \times 0.50 \times \left(\frac{60 – 55}{100}\right) = 7,000,000 \times 0.50 \times 0.05 = \$175,000] - Total LCFF Funding:
[\text{Total LCFF Funding} = 7,000,000 + 840,000 + 175,000 = \$8,015,000]
Relevant Information Table
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Grant Amount (per student) | $7,000 |
| Number of Students | 1,000 |
| Supplemental Grant Percentage | 20% |
| Concentration Grant Percentage | 50% |
| Percentage of Disadvantaged | 60% |
| Output | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Grant | $7,000,000 |
| Supplemental Grant | $840,000 |
| Concentration Grant | $175,000 |
| Total LCFF Funding | $8,015,000 |
Conclusion
The LCFF Calculator is a valuable tool for schools in California, helping them to estimate and plan their funding effectively. By understanding and utilizing this calculator, schools can ensure they receive the appropriate resources to support their students, especially those who are disadvantaged. This, in turn, helps create a more equitable education system where every student has the opportunity to thrive.