In October 2007, EdSource hosted a policy convening in response to findings from the "Getting Down to Facts" research project. These four briefs were prepared by a working group of district Collaborative members to inform the dialogue of this "Getting from Facts to Policy" conference. They advocate for new state policy in the areas of (1) governance and finance, (2) standards based funding and accountability systems, (3) accessible and informative data, and (4) teacher preparation and development. These four briefs are: (1) The Importance of Systems Alignment: Developing a Coherent Approach to Educational Governance and Finance Reform in California (Richard Alonzo, Art Delgado, Geno Flores, Juan Garza, Mike Hanson, Maggie Mejia, Ruthie Quinto, Laura Schwalm, Brad Stam, Chris Steinhauser, Dale Vigil, Judy White, Jennifer O'Day, and Jim Brown.); (2) From Compliance to Getting the Job Done: Excessive Regulations vs. Accountability for Results (Richard Alonzo, Art Delgado, Geno Flores, Juan Garza, Mike Hanson, Maggie Mejia, Ruthie Quinto, Laura Schwalm, Brad Stam, Chris Steinhauser, Dale Vigil, Judy White, Jennifer O'Day, and Jim Brown); (3) Addressing California's Data Needs: Implementing Comprehensive, Longitudinal Systems at the Local and State Levels (Richard Alonzo, Art Delgado, Geno Flores, Juan Garza, Mike Hanson, Maggie Mejia, Ruthie Quinto, Laura Schwalm, Brad Stam, Chris Steinhauser, Dale Vigil, Judy White, Jennifer O'Day, and Jim Brown); and (4) Improving Teacher Quality: Redesigning Personnel Policies to Support Student Achievement (Richard Alonzo, Art Delgado, Geno Flores, Juan Garza, Mike Hanson, Maggie Mejia, Ruthie Quinto, Laura Schwalm, Brad Stam, Chris Steinhauser, Dale Vigil, Judy White, Jennifer O'Day, and Jim Brown). Individual briefs contain footnotes and references.

EdSource hosted an unprecedented forum on October 19, 2007 in Sacramento, California for the presentation and sharing of research-based education policy options offered by a range of K-12 organization and opinion leaders in California with diverse perspectives. Invitees included highly respected state policymakers, education leaders, researchers, and business and community leaders. The Convening focused on research-based policy options related to: education governance, school finance, personnel and leadership, and education data systems. This Convening Book of Education Policy Briefs contains a rich resource of research- and evidence-based discussion and recommendations on which state education policy reforms might have the most impact on improving student outcomes in California. The first section of this book, "Context," presents a brief overview that sets out the importance of an effective public education system in California in the 21st century. Authored by Cross & Joftus, LLC, this white paper also draws from findings of the "Getting Down to Facts" research project, released in March 2007, as well as other existing research and data about California. The paper describes aspects of California's current finance, governance, personnel and data systems that Cross & Joftus suggest should be re-examined in order to support public schools dedicated to instructional improvement and academic success. The second section of this book, "Convening Policy Briefs," contains the policy briefs submitted on or about October 1, 2007 to EdSource for presentation at this convening. The briefs are organized in alphabetical order according to the name of the submitting organization or author. (Individual papers contain references.).

Despite the development of challenging education standards & attention to school improvement over the past decade, Calif. continues to lag behind other states in achievement scores. On many different measures of achievement, Calif.żs students in every group, not just minorities, fall far behind those in other states. Improvement of Calif.żs school finance & governance structures could enable its schools to be more effective & reverse the harmful ramifications that will certainly result from continuing on the current path. This project brought together scholars from 32 institutions with diverse expertise & policy orientations in an attempt to synthesize what we know as a basis for convening the necessary public conversations on what we should do. Illus.