Loeb, Susanna, Anthony Bryk, and Eric Hanushek, Summary: Getting Down to Facts: School Finance and Governance in California, September, 2007.

This issue brief summarizes key findings from the Getting Down to Facts project, an independent investigation of how California governs and funds public education.

 Answering the Knock of Opportunity: Addressing the Data Needs for California's English Learners.

 California currently faces an opportunity to develop an effective data system that can assist in improving the state's future understanding of the educational progress of English Learners (ELs).  This policy brief outlines the needs for good data on ELs and makes recommendations for creating an effective longitudinal data system for ELs. 

 Building an information system to support continuous improvement in California Public Schools.  Susanna Loeb, Stanford University, Tara Beteille, Stanford University, & Maria Perez, Stanford University, February, 2008.

Data-based decision making has been the mantra of the school reform movement since the late 1980s, but California does not yet have an effective system for collecting and using vital school information.  This brief highlights the elements of an effective data system, with a particular focus on issues related to data collection.