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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

California School Funding System Unconstitutional, Lawsuit Alleges

The Oakland (CA) Tribune (7/13, Murphy) reports, "California's substandard school system is depriving students of the opportunity to receive a meaningful education and to meet the standards the state has set for them, a coalition of parents, students and civil rights advocacy groups argued in a lawsuit filed Monday in Alameda Superior Court against the state and the governor. The plaintiffs argue that education is a fundamental right under California's constitution, and far too many students are failing to read and write at grade level or graduate from high school." The Tribune adds, "To remedy the problem, the coalition is demanding equal access to preschools, increased school funding, better data systems and an efficient, coherent school finance system that provides more resources to children with greater need."


 

The AP (7/13, Chea) reports, "Groups representing low-income families sued the state of California Monday in the second major legal action alleging the government is failing to adequately fund public education. ... The plaintiffs, including the Campaign for Quality Education and Alliance for Californians for Community Empowerment, asked the court to declare the current school finance system unconstitutional and force Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger [R] and the Legislature to create a new system that adequately funds public schools." Schwarzenegger "said he hopes he can work with the plaintiffs to reach a mutually acceptable agreement that puts the needs of students first." Lesli Maxwell also covered the story in a blog for Education Week (7/12).

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