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Friday, October 30, 2009

California Budget Crisis Diaries: F-bomb controversy


California Budget Crisis Diaries: F-bomb controversy

People surrounding Capitol Hill are wondering whether Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office offered some choice words to an assemblymember, while the state’s chances to qualify for stimulus funds increases.

Increase in charter schools: The number of charter schools in California has risen to 809.


The California Charter Schools Association announced Wednesday that it has opened 88 new public charter schools - adding 56,000 new students to the system. According to the Association, this is the largest single-year enrollment increase in state history.

“California charter schools are experiencing explosive growth, roughly 20 percent growth for two years in a row,” said President Jed Wallace. “This consistent growth is phenomenal given this tough economic climate and it speaks to the choices that both parents and teachers are making and their demand for high-quality educational options.”

The increase in charter schools may look good to President Barack Obama, who has expressed his concern with states who have caps on the number of charter schools. If California removes its cap, the state may be eligible for additional education funds under Obama’s “Race to the Top” stimulus plan.

“As a strong supporter of charter schools I couldn’t be happier to learn that enrollment is breaking records and the number of schools is steadily increasing,” Schwarzenegger said. “Charter schools have proven that their innovative teaching practices are helping California students receive the quality education they deserve and that is why I am working to lift the cap on charter schools entirely - so that parents up and down the state have the option to send their children to a high-quality charter school.”

According to the Association, there are 341,000 students enrolled in the 809 California charter schools.

Read more: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-10-29/politics-city-county-government/california-budget-politics-city-county-government/california-budget-crisis-diaries-f-bomb-controversy#ixzz0VQHlchSX