TALKING POINTS ON AB 792 (Havice)

• There are approximately 500 continuation high schools in California. They are the state's primary drop-out prevention program, generally operating with reduced class sizes to address the individual needs of students who have not been successful in the traditional high school.

• There is consensus that the current funding system for continuation high schools is completely indefensible.

• Huge funding disparities exist today among school districts. Current funding for school districts ranges from $0 additional funding per ADA to operate a continuation high school, while others receive revenue limit add-ons in amounts exceeding $30,000 per ADA served in a continuation high school.

• Disparities also exist under current law because the revenue limit add-on a district receives is calculated only once, in the first year of the school's operation. The law does not call for any annual adjustment of the add-on to reflect increases or decreases in the number of students or staffing at the school.

• The equalization formula in AB 792 would hold school districts accountable for providing a quality program to students because the funding is based on the ratio of staffing to students.

• Continuation high schools are diploma granting institutions. The school is required to align its curriculum with the district. To receive a diploma, a student must complete the same amount of credits as a student at the traditional high school in the district.

• Continuation high schools are required by law to provide increased counseling for continuation students. The ratio built into the formula in AB 792 presumes that the school will employ counselors for the students.

• Continuation high schools serve a disproportionate amount of the pregnant and parenting teens. This is because the continuation school provides these teens with more flexible hours for the student to attend school. AB 792 would ensure that these students will be served and are given the opportunity to complete their high school education.

• Last year, both houses of the legislature approved equalization funding. However, the funding was vetoed, but the Governor's veto message expressed support for continuation high schools and a willingness to revisit the issue.

• Based on the Governor's veto message, the sponsors of the bill - the California Continuation Education Association and the Association of California School Administrators - have drafted a comprehensive equalization proposal for funding continuation high schools. The new proposal is contained in AB 792.

• The Department of Finance has acknowledged that the formula in AB 792 addresses the Governor's concerns for a comprehensive reform of continuation school funding, which also protects the accountability and program quality of the continuation education program.