Local control funding formula: concentration grants: charter schools: waiver.

Assembly Member Hoover's education finance legislation creates a waiver process allowing charter schools to modify how their concentration grant funding is calculated under California's Local Control Funding Formula. The bill addresses limitations that currently restrict charter schools' concentration grant calculations based on their host districts' demographics.

Under the proposed changes, charter schools could apply to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for permission to calculate their concentration grants using their own percentage of high-need students, rather than being capped by their local district's demographics. To obtain this waiver, charter schools must demonstrate that existing limitations would create a significant funding shortfall impacting student services and that the waiver would directly benefit enrolled pupils.

The legislation requires the Superintendent to establish formal guidelines and procedures for reviewing waiver applications. These procedures must verify that applicant schools meet two key criteria: proving that current funding restrictions would substantially impact their ability to serve students, and showing that increased funding flexibility would materially benefit their pupil population. The bill maintains the existing definition of high-need students as English learners, foster youth, and those eligible for free or reduced-price meals.