Wednesday, March 9, 2011

SBE President Statement to Parent Empowerment - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

SBE President Statement to Parent Empowerment - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

State Board of Education President Makes Statement Relating to Parent Empowerment Regulations

Sacramento -- State Board of Education President Michael Kirst issued the following statement regarding the parent empowerment regulation process:

"I announced earlier that the SBE has scheduled to convene an additional meeting, scheduled for April 21, to consider permanent regulations to implement the Parent Empowerment law. We now have more information about the issues based upon 2011 developlments in Compton. The process for considering permanent regulations will utilize the regulatory process and draft regulations begun in 2010, public comments concerning prior and future draft regulations, and additional meeting of the stakeholders group, and other relevant information."

"The board has already taken action to expedite the rule-making process by convening a stakeholder meeting in February for stakeholders to give feedback on the permanent regulations. I have asked that another stakeholder input meeting be held before April 21."

"Once permanent regulations are approved, they will be made available for a required 15-day public comment period.

The SBE is not pursuing any changes in the existing law at this time."

State Board of Education Voted to Extend Emergency Regulations for Parent Empowerment Law

Sacramento -- The State Board of Education announced today that it will convene an additional meeting, scheduled for April 21, to consider permanent regulations to implement the Parent Empowerment law. The board also voted to extend the law’s emergency regulations, which were set to expire on March 15.

"We value the obvious importance of parent involvement in education, and we understand the urgency of this situation,” said Board President Michael Kirst. “Voting to extend the emergency regulations as we work as quickly as possible to adopt permanent regulations gives parents and local education agencies uninterrupted guidance on this law and stakeholders more time to provide feedback."

"We want to give clear guidance on implementing the law, so that it results in better educational opportunities and options for students," Kirst continued.

The Board has already taken action to expedite the rule making process by convening a stakeholder meeting in February for stakeholders to give feedback on the permanent regulations. Kirst has asked that another stakeholder input meeting be held before April 21.

Once permanent regulations are approved, they will be made available for required 15-day public comment period.

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