Education Litigation
Activists sue the state; demand better education funding.
Monday, July 12, 2010
A group of low income students and parents filed suit in Alameda County Monday July 12 in a case that could affect public education in all of California's cash-strapped school districts.
Attorneys for the Campaign for Quality Education claim that California's school finance system violates the state constitution because it's inadequate to provide all students equal access to a meaningful education.
Per pupil spending in California is among the the lowest in the country, according to the activists, who cite 2005-06 statistics that show the state spent some $2000 less than Louisiana and Alabama and more than $5000 less than states like New York and New Jersey.
Public Advocates of Oakland is one of the legal groups involved in the suit; it was part of a landmark 2000 lawsuit, Williams v California, which was settled by the Schwarzenegger administration with an agreement that low-income students are guaranteed sufficient textbooks, adequately maintained facilities, properly credentialed teachers, and assistance with the high school exit exam.
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