HISTORY
On June 6, 1978, almost 2/3 of California’s voters passed Proposition 13, to reduce property taxes by almost 57% (HJTA, 2018). The reason for this initiative was in response to out of control property taxes. For some individuals, their property taxes doubled in just one year. Prop 13 was a grassroots movement led by Howard Jarvis. The proposition decreased property taxes by assessing values at their 1976 value and restricted annual increases of assessed value of real property to an inflation factor, not to exceed two percent per year. The initiative also prohibited reassessment of a new base year value only in cases of change of ownership, or completion of new construction. Proposition 13 allowed California taxes to be limited and predictable.
Relevance to Education
Much blame has been placed on Proposition 13 on the decline in school funding. The cost per pupil during 1978 was 14th overall and started to decline (KPBS News, 2010). Unfortunately, it was a combination of events including Proposition 13 which led to the decline of school funding in California. Proposition merely put a cap on the money given to schools. For example, a school district with a $9 million budget prior to Proposition 13 would have to work with a $3 million budget with a majority of the money coming from the state.
Effect on Equity and Adequacy
A considerable problem with Prop 13 is that it makes schools rely on the state for funding and if they are not getting enough from income and sales tax, and they have a recession with high unemployment then they have less money to give to schools. This problem causes school districts to make decisions based on their needs which affect the overall equity and adequacy of education and programs they provide for students.
Concordia University Irvine Online (2018) California’s fiscal history in education: Adequacy v.s. Equality: Video Module. Retrieved from http://resources.cui.edu/courses/edua558/modules/2/player.html
HJTA (2018). Proposition 13: A look back. Retrieved from https://www.hjta.org/propositions/proposition-13/proposition-13-look-back/
KBPS News (2010, March 26). Prop 13’s impact on schools. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dacSb43UEEA&feature=youtu.be
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