PAY-2-LEARN - REPORT: An Investigation of Mandatory Fees for Educational Activities in California’s Public Schools
ACLU PRESS RELEASE AND REPORT | HTTP://BIT.LY/KTWQEO
ACLU California Affiliates Announce Major Settlement in School Fees Case
Thursday, December 9, 2010 - LOS ANGELES - The California affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union announced a settlement today with the State of California that will establish a comprehensive monitoring and enforcement system to ensure school districts do not unlawfully charge fees to students for educational activities.
The settlement, which requires court approval, is contingent on enactment of legislation that would empower students and parents to use the existing Williams Uniform Complaint Process to identify, and receive reimbursement for, illegal school fees and that would amend the annual independent audits of school districts to determine if schools collected illegal fees.
<“This is a historic settlement that puts an end once and for all to the pay to learn system,” said Mark Rosenbaum, chief counsel of the ACLU/SC.
“This agreement means all students have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams irrespective of their families’ financial circumstances. The ACLU thanks Governor Schwarzenegger, Secretary of Education Bonnie Reiss and the
PAY-2-LEARN/School Funding: FEE RESTRICTIONS MAY FORCE SCHOOLS TO CUT EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS
Legal settlement bars public schools from charging student fees, and proposed legislation would require all materials and equipment to be provided free. Some schools say they'll have to scrap programs.
BY MEGAN O'NEIL, LOS ANGELES TIMES | HTTP://LAT.MS/MUOYEI
Musical ensembles are among the public school programs that no longer can be financed with mandatory fees. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
May 10, 2011 - Local education officials this week said they are bracing for a dramatic shift in how extracurricular activities are funded, the result of a lawsuit settlement that bars schools and their affiliates from charging students fees for such programs as sports teams, musical ensembles and cheer squads.
California education officials in December settled a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union against dozens of campuses, includingJohn Burroughs High in Burbank, alleging that charging students for educational materials and activities violates a constitutional mandate that public school districts provide free and equitable education to all students.
The Legislature is now considering a law to impose penalties on districts where fees have been charged illegally. It also mandates that all educational and extracurricular supplies, materials and equipment be provided free of charge.
The new rules would also apply to booster clubs, foundations and community organizations that provide support to a school.
If approved, the rules would be disastrous for districts already strapped for cash, local officials said.
"Our district and our schools will need to rely more heavily on voluntary donations to preserve the same level of educational opportunities that students have enjoyed in the past," said Glendale Unified Deputy Supt. John Garcia. "There are a lot of practices now — not just in our district, but in districts all throughout the state — that are going to have to be changed as a result of this legislation
“This is a historic settlement that puts an end once and for all to the pay to learn system,” said Mark Rosenbaum, chief counsel of the ACLU/SC.
“This agreement means all students have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams irrespective of their families’ financial circumstances. The ACLU thanks Governor Schwarzenegger, Secretary of Education Bonnie Reiss and the
PAY-2-LEARN/School Funding: FEE RESTRICTIONS MAY FORCE SCHOOLS TO CUT EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS
Legal settlement bars public schools from charging student fees, and proposed legislation would require all materials and equipment to be provided free. Some schools say they'll have to scrap programs.
BY MEGAN O'NEIL, LOS ANGELES TIMES | HTTP://LAT.MS/MUOYEI
Musical ensembles are among the public school programs that no longer can be financed with mandatory fees. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
May 10, 2011 - Local education officials this week said they are bracing for a dramatic shift in how extracurricular activities are funded, the result of a lawsuit settlement that bars schools and their affiliates from charging students fees for such programs as sports teams, musical ensembles and cheer squads.
California education officials in December settled a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union against dozens of campuses, includingJohn Burroughs High in Burbank, alleging that charging students for educational materials and activities violates a constitutional mandate that public school districts provide free and equitable education to all students.
The Legislature is now considering a law to impose penalties on districts where fees have been charged illegally. It also mandates that all educational and extracurricular supplies, materials and equipment be provided free of charge.
The new rules would also apply to booster clubs, foundations and community organizations that provide support to a school.
If approved, the rules would be disastrous for districts already strapped for cash, local officials said.
"Our district and our schools will need to rely more heavily on voluntary donations to preserve the same level of educational opportunities that students have enjoyed in the past," said Glendale Unified Deputy Supt. John Garcia. "There are a lot of practices now — not just in our district, but in districts all throughout the state — that are going to have to be changed as a result of this legislation
