Our View- Cortines, LAUSD to limit intradistrict transfers
Published: Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Jeff Chang
The Obama administration’s “Race To the Top” education initiative carried out a crucial first step by granting two states, Delaware and Tennessee, $600 million in federal aid last Monday.
We may be biased in saying this — we want nothing but the best for the Sunshine State — but California should have received some of that money. Specifically the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is currently arguing over whether or not it will continue to grant permits to students wishing to transfer into surrounding districts, since the funding would have benefited it greatly. However, unlike Delaware and Tennessee, California has not taken the necessary steps to merit such funds. Both states have implemented a new system that rewards teachers on student preformance.
More than 12,000 students living in the LAUSD boundaries, ranging from elementary school to high school, have a permit allowing them to avoid attending their neighborhood schools.
LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines has decided that this habit of intradistrict transfers is over. Yes, this move warrants anger but the superintendent has full authority to act in such a manner. L.A. schools need funds.
Cortines claims that the district has upgraded many of its campuses, so families should no longer be worried about the quality of education their children will receive.
By bringing students back into the district, LAUSD will receive $51 million in state funding.
Not suprisingly, the superintendent’s announcement resulted in heated debates between him and parents who are hoping to keep their children at the schools they are enrolled in. Cortines’ concern seems to be with revenue while parents are obviously concerned with the their children’s education.
Forcing students to attend their neighborhood schools would result in discomfort and this could ultimately affect their learning. Relocation means having to adjust to new teachers, new classmates and of course a new institution — all of which is stressful, especially when students do not think it necessary.
Although this new policy would bring in more money for the district, demanding that 12,000 students switch