Ibrahim Gardner
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has a budget of approximately $18.8 billion for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This budget includes federal, state, and local resources that are allocated directly to schools to support students' needs. LAUSD offers a range of student support services, including Specialized Student Services (SSS), which provides local, integrated, and specialized support for students in foster care, those experiencing homelessness, and those involved with the juvenile justice system. Student Medical Services is another branch that provides eye examinations and glasses free of charge. These services are funded through a combination of sources, with the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) being the largest unrestricted source of funding for schools within Los Angeles Unified.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Budget for 2023-24 fiscal year | $18.8 billion |
| Budget includes | Federal, state, and local resources |
| Basis of allocation of resources | Student needs |
| Funding formula | Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) |
| Largest source of funding | Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) |
| LCFF funding basis | Number of low-income students, English Learners, and students in foster care |
| Student Support Programs | Specialized Student Services (SSS) |
| SSS Support Services | Local, integrated, and specialized support services for targeted student populations |
| Targeted student populations | Students in foster care, experiencing homelessness, and/or involved in the Juvenile Justice System |
| Student Medical Services | Free eye examinations and glasses |
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What You'll Learn
LAUSD's overall budget
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has a budget of approximately $18.8 billion for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This budget includes capital expenditures and federal, state, and local resources that are allocated directly to schools based on student needs. The largest source of unrestricted funding for schools within LAUSD is the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which provides baseline funding for all students and additional resources to schools with high concentrations of low-income students, English learners, and students in foster care.
LAUSD's budget is developed by the Los Angeles Unified Schools Board of Education, which is made up of seven publicly elected board members who serve four-year terms on a staggered basis. They are responsible for adopting the budget and making policy decisions for LAUSD, including hiring the District Superintendent. Despite this substantial budget, LAUSD faces challenges with deficit spending, where expenditures exceed projected revenues. The projected deficits for the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26 are substantial, at $1,589.6 million and $94.5 million, respectively. These projections also do not account for potential changes in compensation, health and welfare benefits, or additional program expenditures.
The complexity of LAUSD's budget makes it difficult for stakeholders to understand how their investments impact students and families. With over 1,000 school sites, including 228 independent charter schools, and a workforce of over 63,500 employees, budget allocation is critical for improving student outcomes. In the 2018-19 school year, LAUSD had an enrollment of 594,744 students, making it the second-largest school district in the nation.
To address the lack of transparency, tools like WeBudgetLA.org have been introduced to help stakeholders understand how LAUSD invests its funds to improve student outcomes. These tools provide insights into the budget development process, budget allocation, and advocacy for additional resources. Despite these efforts, ensuring equitable investment across all schools remains a challenge, as historically, the amount of funding a student received was determined by the wealth of their neighborhood.
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LCFF funding
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) receives funds from federal, state, and local resources, with a budget of approximately $18.8 billion for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The largest unrestricted source of funding for schools within Los Angeles Unified is the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).
The LCFF was implemented in the 2013-14 fiscal year by Governor Jerry Brown as a new state funding formula for local education agencies (LEAs). It provides baseline funding for all students and additional resources to schools with high concentrations of low-income students, English learners, and students in foster care. The goal of the LCFF is to simplify how state funding is provided to LEAs, create transparency in funding, and grant local control of funds. Prior to the LCFF, the basic and largest financial support for Los Angeles Unified was the Revenue Limit, which was eliminated by the new funding formula.
The LAUSD budget includes expenditures for student screening services, such as vision clinics that provide free eye examinations and glasses for students. These services are provided by licensed healthcare professionals and are offered on-site at schools, allowing for convenience and no missed school or workdays. The vision clinics are part of the Student Medical Services Branch, which also provides part-time optometrists and ophthalmologists to support the vision clinics.
While the LCFF is a significant source of funding for LAUSD, the district continues to face challenges with deficit spending, where expenditures exceed projected revenues. The projected deficits for the upcoming fiscal years are expected to be in the millions, and these projections do not account for potential changes in compensation, health and welfare benefits, or additional program expenditures.
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Vision screening
The LAUSD provides free eye examinations to its students by licensed health care professionals. These examinations are non-invasive and are provided exclusively to determine whether a student requires eyeglasses. The benefits of participating in these screenings include not having to take time off work or miss school, as well as receiving a free eye exam and prescription eyeglasses if needed. If a child is found to have urgent problems with their vision, they will be sent home with a letter, and their parent or guardian must take them to an eye care provider for an evaluation.
According to the LAUSD website, Student Medical Services provides part-time optometrists and ophthalmologists, as well as support staff for the vision clinics. Approximately 5,500 students receive free eye exams and glasses annually. This service is provided in accordance with California Education Code (EC) Section 49455.5, which allows schools to enter into agreements with nonprofit eye examination providers to offer eye examinations to pupils.
The LAUSD also offers a range of other health and welfare benefits to its employees, retirees, and dependents, including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage options. These benefits demonstrate the district's commitment to the well-being of its staff and their families.
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$19.95 $19.95
Student Support Programs
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has a budget of approximately $18.8 billion for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The budget includes federal, state, and local resources that are allocated directly to schools based on student needs. The largest unrestricted source of funding for schools within Los Angeles Unified is the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which provides baseline funding for all students and additional resources to schools with high concentrations of low-income students, English learners, and students in foster care.
The LAUSD offers a range of student support programs, including:
- Academic Support and Achievement Program
- A-G Diploma Program
- Clinical Supervision Program
- College Advising Program
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
- Homeless Education Office
- Practicum Education Program
- Specialized Student Services (SSS)
- Student Discipline and Expulsion Support
- Support for Students in Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs)
- Employment Opportunities
- Student and Family Wellness Network
- COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing Sites
- School-Based Community Mental Health Partners
- Student Wellbeing Centers
Specialized Student Services (SSS) Counsellors, Pupil Services and Attendance (PSA) Counsellors, and Psychiatric Social Workers (PSW) provide local, integrated, and specialized support services for targeted student populations, including students in foster care, experiencing homelessness, and/or involved in the Juvenile Justice System.
LAUSD also provides Student Medical Services, including vision clinics with free eye examinations and glasses for students. Approximately 5,500 students receive these services annually.
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Special Education Instruction
The Los Angeles Unified School District provides special education instruction for students from ages 3 to 22. This includes those in Itinerant or Deaf Education Special Day Classes. The LAUSD accepts and respects all languages, communication supports, and educational approaches in the education of Deaf children. The Deaf Education Program aims to meet the unique language, communication, and hearing needs of Deaf students.
The Special Education Division also administers education services within schools and special education centres for children and adults from birth through 22 years old who are found eligible for special education services. This division seeks to identify, locate, and evaluate children who may have a disability and require special education services. These services are provided at no cost to families and are designed to meet the educational needs of the students.
Funding for the LAUSD comes from various sources, including federal, state, and local resources. The largest unrestricted source of funding is the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which provides baseline funding for all students and additional resources to schools with high concentrations of low-income students, English learners, and students in foster care. The LAUSD's budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year is approximately $18.8 billion.
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Frequently asked questions
The LAUSD budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year is approximately $18.8 billion.
The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is the largest source of unrestricted funding for schools within LAUSD.
The LCFF provides baseline funding for all students and additional resources to schools with high concentrations of low-income students, English learners, and students in foster care.
Yes, LAUSD offers free eye examination services to its students. These screenings are provided by licensed health care professionals and can be accessed on-site at the student's school.
If urgent problems are identified during the screening, your child will be sent home with a letter. You must then take your child to an eyecare provider for a further evaluation.
