What's an "LCAP" and why should parents engage?

“LCAP” stands for Local Control Accountability Plan, a rolling three-year roadmap for how PUSD will spend state funds to ensure academic achievement for all students. A parent advisory committee, or “PAC” meets regularly to to review the LCAP, advise district administrators, monitor progress, and report to the School Board. It may sound abstract, but the LCAP PAC does a great job of keeping our local spending plan clear and accountable to parents, and of explaining why parent perspectives matter — especially now as the district prepares its 2027-2030 plan.

In a nutshell, the LCAP is designed to address four key questions:

  • What should students — all students — achieve?

  • What services will help?

  • How will the funding PUSD receives from the state support this work?

  • How will we measure progress?

In its annual report for 2025-2026, the PAC highlighted its work in several key areas:

  • “Following the money” - Noting differences between LCAP commitments and district spending, the PAC requested clearer accounting; last April staff reported on the completion of fund transfers to realign spending with the LCAP.

  • Pushing for more useful and transparent data - PAC members called for clearer language and context that would allow all stakeholders to see the connection between goals and results. Staff updated its LCAP dashboard to help families and community members understand how PUSD is investing state funds to improve outcomes for every student. (The dashboard also includes a great resource page, including a glossary of education acronyms!)

  • Focusing on how budget cuts and related decisions impact students — particularly in the priority areas of math, student wellness, and whether special education services and spending are producing meaningful student progress.

  • The PAC also recommended more time for small-group conversation—and clearer ways for stakeholder input to shape decisions.

This Wednesday, Oct. 28 PUSD hosts the second in a series of LCAP Engagement Sessions, with a focus on goal-setting. PAC members have helped staff design these sessions with the goal of reaching beyond familiar participants, making discussions accessible and useful; and making clear how community input shapes priorities. This session will take place in-person from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Madison Elementary auditorium. Translation, childcare, and dinner will be provided.

Future Sessions:

Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Action Drafting & Metrics Session
John Muir High School, Room A126, 1905 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena, CA
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 27, 2027
Survey and Final (Draft) Input Session
McKinley School, Library, 325 S Oak Knoll Ave, Pasadena, CA
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Ask PENSusan SchwartzLCAP, LCAP PAC, budget, student success, oversight, transparency