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Saturday, September 12, 2009

California Chronicle | SCHOOL EDUCATION DATA BILL ENSURES ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDS, INCREASES EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY




California Chronicle SCHOOL EDUCATION DATA BILL ENSURES ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDS, INCREASES EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY:


"SACRAMENTO- The State Legislature has passed SB 19 by State Senator Joe Simitian, (D-Palo Alto). The measure is designed to put to rest a controversy Simitian describes as 'a tempest in a teapot' over California´s eligibility for federal funds for schools.

SB 19 is necessary said Simitian, 'because of a misinterpretation by federal officials over the meaning of California state law; a misinterpretation that has the potential to preclude California access to $4.5 billion in federal education 'Race to the Top' funds.'

Although Simitian and others, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O´Connell, argued that the feds were misreading the state law, Simitian said he quickly concluded it was wiser to simply 'eliminate, rather than prolong the debate.'"