A tentative out-of-court settlement has been reached in a lawsuit to ensure that all students have equal access to trained teachers, a sufficient supply of current textbooks, and well-maintained schools that are not seriously overcrowded. The suit asserts the State has failed to provide some students – particularly those in high-minority, low-income areas – with the resources needed for a basic education, thus violating their state constitutional rights. The suit was filed in 2000 by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 97 students in various districts, naming the state of California, California Department of Education, State Board of Education and the state superintendent as defendants.
The plaintiffs contend that all students should receive the same quality teachers, classrooms and textbooks, and that this is not currently taking place. As a remedy, plaintiffs are asking the state to assess which schools are lacking adequate resources and to remedy that situation right away. For more information on the lawsuit and about the team that brought the lawsuit (a coalition of civil rights organizations, public interest law groups and private law firms), go to http://www.decentschools.org/.
Provisions of the settlement include $138 million for new instructional materials, and a change in state law that will allow county superintendents to step in when schools lack textbooks, need to fix critical maintenance problems, or have persistent teacher shortages. The agreement must still be approved by a San Francisco federal judge, and many of the provisions require legislative approval.
For more information, see:
www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/9365841.htm?1c
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2004/08/14/sections/region_state/region_state/article_202414.php
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