Reference

LCAP Glossary

69 essential LCAP terms and definitions for California school district leaders.

LCAP

Local Control and Accountability Plan — A three-year plan describing goals, actions, services, and expenditures to address state and local priorities for all pupils.

LCFF

Local Control Funding Formula — California's funding model that provides base, supplemental, and concentration grants to school districts based on student demographics.

CDS Code

County-District-School Code — A unique identifier assigned by the California Department of Education to each educational entity.

Annual Update

A required yearly review of progress toward LCAP goals, including analysis of actions and expenditures from the prior year.

Mid-Year Review

An internal progress check conducted mid-year to assess whether LCAP actions and services are being implemented as planned and whether adjustments are needed.

Plan Year

The three-year cycle covered by an LCAP (e.g., 2024-2027). Districts update annually within the cycle.

Base Grant

The foundational per-pupil funding provided to all districts through LCFF, before adjustments for student demographics.

Supplemental Grant

Additional funding (20% above adjusted base grant) for each unduplicated pupil (foster youth, English learners, low-income students).

Concentration Grant

Extra funding (50% above adjusted base grant) for districts where unduplicated pupils exceed 55% of total enrollment.

S&C (Supplemental & Concentration)

Shorthand for the combined supplemental and concentration grant funding a district receives under LCFF for unduplicated pupils.

Title I

A federal program under ESSA providing financial assistance to schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help all students meet state academic standards.

Title II

Federal funding under ESSA to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders through professional development and recruitment.

Title III

Federal funding under ESSA designated for language instruction for English learners and immigrant students, supporting language acquisition and academic achievement.

Title IV

Federal funding under ESSA (Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment) supporting well-rounded education, safe and healthy students, and effective use of technology.

ESSER

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund — Federal COVID-era emergency funding provided to schools to address learning loss, health and safety, and operational needs.

ESSA

Every Student Succeeds Act — The federal K-12 education law (reauthorized in 2015) that replaced No Child Left Behind and governs Title funding programs.

Total LCAP Expenditures

The sum of all planned spending across all goals, actions, and services in the LCAP.

Contributing Actions

Actions specifically designed to increase or improve services for unduplicated pupils, funded by supplemental and concentration grants.

Proportionality Percentage

The minimum percentage by which services for unduplicated pupils must be increased or improved, calculated as supplemental and concentration funds divided by total LCFF funding.

Priority 1: Basic Services

Teachers are appropriately assigned and fully credentialed, students have sufficient access to standards-aligned instructional materials, and school facilities are maintained in good repair.

Priority 2: Implementation of State Standards

Implementation of California academic content and performance standards, including Common Core State Standards in ELA and math, and Next Generation Science Standards.

Priority 3: Parental Involvement

Efforts to seek parent input in making decisions for the school district and each school site, promotion of parental participation in programs, and engagement of parents in decision-making.

Priority 4: Pupil Achievement

Performance on statewide assessments (CAASPP), English learner reclassification rates, college and career readiness indicators, AP exam passage rates, and EAP results.

Priority 5: Pupil Engagement

School attendance rates, chronic absenteeism rates, middle school dropout rates, high school dropout rates, and high school graduation rates.

Priority 6: School Climate

Pupil suspension rates, pupil expulsion rates, and other local measures including surveys of pupils, parents, and teachers on safety and school connectedness.

Priority 7: Course Access

The extent to which pupils have access to and are enrolled in a broad course of study that includes all subject areas, including CTE, visual and performing arts, and all required areas of study.

Priority 8: Other Pupil Outcomes

Other indicators of pupil performance in required areas of study, as determined by the LEA. May include locally-selected metrics beyond state indicators.

Unduplicated Pupils

Students who are English learners, foster youth, or eligible for free/reduced-price meals (low-income). Each student counted only once regardless of multiple qualifying factors.

UPP (Unduplicated Pupil Percentage)

The percentage of a district's total enrollment that qualifies as unduplicated pupils. Used to determine supplemental and concentration grant amounts.

English Learners (EL)

Students whose primary language is not English and who have not yet demonstrated English language proficiency on state assessments (ELPAC).

Foster Youth

Students in the foster care system, who receive additional supports and services through the LCAP.

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged

Students from families with incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.

Students with Disabilities

Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) who receive special education services.

CAASPP

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress — The state's standardized testing system measuring student achievement in English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics.

ELPAC

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California — The required state test for English learners, administered annually to assess progress toward English proficiency.

Dashboard Indicator

Color-coded performance levels (Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red) on the California School Dashboard measuring status and change for each metric.

CCI (College/Career Indicator)

A Dashboard indicator that reports the percentage of high school graduates who are prepared for college and/or career based on multiple measures.

DFS (Distance from Standard)

A measure on the CAASPP and Dashboard indicating how far above or below the standard (met or not met) a student group performs on average.

Chronic Absenteeism

The percentage of students missing 10% or more of school days in a year. A key Priority 5 metric on the California School Dashboard.

Graduation Rate

Four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate — the percentage of a ninth-grade cohort that graduates with a regular high school diploma within four years.

Reclassification Rate

The percentage of English Learners reclassified as Fluent English Proficient within a school year, based on ELPAC scores and other criteria.

Completeness

The degree to which an LCAP addresses all required sections, state priorities, and provides sufficient detail on goals, actions, and metrics.

Data Richness

The quality and specificity of data included in the LCAP — specific metrics, baseline data, measurable targets, and evidence-based justifications.

Increased/Improved Services

The requirement that districts describe how services for unduplicated pupils are increased or improved compared to services for all students.

Proportionality

The requirement that the increase in services for unduplicated pupils is at least proportional to the supplemental/concentration funds received.

Stakeholder Engagement

The process of gathering input from parents, students, teachers, administrators, and community members in LCAP development, as required by Education Code.

CSI (Comprehensive Support and Improvement)

A designation under ESSA for the lowest-performing 5% of Title I schools, and high schools with graduation rates below 67%, requiring an evidence-based improvement plan.

ATSI (Additional Targeted Support and Improvement)

A designation for schools where one or more student groups perform at the CSI level, requiring targeted interventions for those specific groups.

TSI (Targeted Support and Improvement)

A designation under ESSA for schools with consistently underperforming student subgroups, requiring targeted action plans for those groups.

MTSS

Multi-Tiered System of Supports — A framework for providing a continuum of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports to all students at varying levels of intensity.

PBIS

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports — A proactive, tiered framework for establishing positive behavioral expectations and supporting all students.

RTI (Response to Intervention)

A multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs, using increasingly intensive levels of instruction and intervention.

DELAC

District English Learner Advisory Committee — A required advisory body that advises the school board on programs and services for English learners, including LCAP consultation.

ELAC

English Learner Advisory Committee — A required school-site advisory body at schools with 21 or more English learners that advises the principal and school staff on EL programs.

PAC (Parent Advisory Committee)

A committee composed of parents/guardians that provides input on the LCAP. Districts must consult with the PAC during LCAP development.

SSC (School Site Council)

A school-level governance body composed of parents, students, teachers, and administrators that develops and monitors the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).

PTA (Parent Teacher Association)

A volunteer organization of parents and teachers that supports student success through advocacy, family engagement, and fundraising at the school and district level.

DAC (District Advisory Committee)

A district-level advisory committee that provides recommendations to the governing board and superintendent on educational programs and LCAP priorities.

CDE

California Department of Education — The state agency that oversees public education, administers assessments, and provides guidance on LCAP development and compliance.

COE

County Office of Education — The county-level agency that reviews and approves LCAPs, provides technical assistance, and supports districts within the county.

LEA

Local Educational Agency — A public board of education or other authority that administers public schools. In California, refers to school districts, COEs, and charter schools.

SBE

State Board of Education — California's governing body that sets K-12 education policy, adopts standards, and approves the LCAP template.

SPSA

School Plan for Student Achievement — A site-level plan required for schools receiving Title I or other categorical funds, aligned with the district LCAP.

IEP

Individualized Education Program — A legally binding document developed for each student in special education that outlines the student's learning goals and required services.

ELO (Expanded Learning Opportunities)

Programs that extend learning beyond the traditional school day, including before/after school programs, summer school, and intersession programs.

SELPA

Special Education Local Plan Area — A consortia of districts and county offices that coordinate special education services within a geographic area.

ADA (Average Daily Attendance)

The average number of students attending school each day, used as the basis for LCFF funding calculations in California.

API (Academic Performance Index)

A now-suspended single numerical score (200-1000) that was used to measure school academic performance. Replaced by the California School Dashboard.

SARB

School Attendance Review Board — A county-level interagency body that addresses chronic absenteeism and truancy through intervention and support services.

LCAP Glossary

LCAP Fundamentals

Funding & Budget

State Priorities

Student Groups

Assessments & Data

Compliance & Quality

Accountability & Improvement

Stakeholder Groups & Committees

Common Acronyms

LCAP Glossary

LCAP Fundamentals

Funding & Budget

State Priorities

Student Groups

Assessments & Data

Compliance & Quality

Accountability & Improvement

Stakeholder Groups & Committees

Common Acronyms