California operates one of the most complex K-12 systems in the nation: the state Department of Education, 58 county offices of education (including Shasta County Office of Education - SCOE), and over 1,000 local districts—many tiny and rural. In Shasta County, there are 25 independent districts, plus SCOE, that serve about 26,000–27,000 students. Despite spending $billions, students are being left behind.