Emergency declaration in schools triggers confusion, anger
Parent advocates fear that the declaration of an emergency last week by the California State Board of Education in 1,000 mostly low-performing public schools will generate confusion among parents – without giving them the tools to enroll in schools with higher test scores, or to improve conditions in their own schools.
Before it was approved, the Board of Education also provoked the ire of state Senator Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto. He accused the board of trying to do an end run around a key amendment that he had inserted in the legislation which was signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger in January.
The emergency declaration will require 1,000 "low performing" schools to inform parents that their children's school has been declared an "open enrollment" school by September 15 – which in theory should allow them to
California prisons take flak on lockdown policy
Before it was approved, the Board of Education also provoked the ire of state Senator Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto. He accused the board of trying to do an end run around a key amendment that he had inserted in the legislation which was signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger in January.
The emergency declaration will require 1,000 "low performing" schools to inform parents that their children's school has been declared an "open enrollment" school by September 15 – which in theory should allow them to
California prisons take flak on lockdown policy
Lockdowns are a way of life for many inmates serving time in California prisons. That might not come as a surprise, given endemic violence, racial tensions, gang activity and budget cuts.
But according to the Prison Law Office, recently obtained government data suggest prisons across the state are arbitrarily imposing lockdowns on entire racial groups, with some stretching to months and even years.
But according to the Prison Law Office, recently obtained government data suggest prisons across the state are arbitrarily imposing lockdowns on entire racial groups, with some stretching to months and even years.