Abstract
Problem: California funding for K-12 public education is threatened by state budget cuts from a struggling economy in a postrecession period. The federal education policy of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) mandated nationwide education reform and increased state accountability of student achievement in exchange for federal and state funding of education programs. California faces a threat of losing education funding if the economy and student achievement do not improve. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between state budget cuts and California student achievement. As NCLB mandates raising student achievement, this study explored those relationships during the period of 2002-03 through 2010-11. Theoretical Framework: This study reviewed the research foundations of organization structure, behaviors, and politics. The theoretical frameworks most closely associated with this study include organization theory, economics theory, politics and leadership theory, and policy influence theory. Methodology: The subjects in the mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) research study were 24 K-12 school districts of Riverside County in Southern California. The methodology used included content analysis of legislative policy, K-12 Academic Performance Index (API) data, and primary participant observation at county, district, conferences, and negotiations. Descriptive analysis was included to measure the relationship between the variables of student achievement and state budget data using Pearson's correlation model. Findings: The assessment indicated Riverside County student achievement as measured by API has increased since the enactment of NCLB in 2002. Study findings indicate the slow economic recovery resulting from the recession of December 2007 to July 2009 has negatively impacted education policy in the form of budget cuts, program reductions, and staff layoffs, with continued state shortfalls predicted in upcoming years. Conclusions and Recommendations: From 2002-03 through 2010-11, California API in Riverside County K-12 school districts was not significantly impacted by state budget cuts. Education reform policy is a politically polarizing issue; continued student achievement may not be sustainable without adequate funding and political support. Further research is recommended to examine the impact and relationships of state budget cuts and student achievement in other California counties, colleges, and universities.