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California’s New Law Reaffirms Parents’ Choice for Children’s Education. New bill makes parent’s involvement central to improving children’s education and programs. Long Beach (October 13, 2003) - The signing of AB 1485 (Firebaugh) by Governor Davis on October 12, 2003 ensures that alternative bilingual programs receive full funding guaranteed by the federal government’s Reading First Program. Now parents and teachers of bilingual students will be able to receive critically funds through this federal program. California will now join states like Texas, New Mexico and Florida to meet the needs of their English Learner students. More importantly, parents will be able to have a say in their children’s overall academic program, assessment and success. “We are very pleased that Governor Davis recognizes the importance of this bill and only cements his commitment and that of Governor-elect Schwarzenegger to make California a leader in public education” states assembly member Marco Firebaugh (D), the bill’s author. “It is clear that students and teachers in alternative bilingual programs are eligible to access and receive the benefits derived from Reading First.” In signing AB 1485, Governor Davis concurs and realizes that these alternative bilingual programs were not given equal access to monies allocated by the federal government to educate the state’s1. 5 million English Learners. “We look forward to the California State Board of Education and the Department of Education to implement the provisions Reading First of AB 1485 as soon as possible, “ states Shelley Spiegel-Coleman, President of Californians Together. “School districts, students and teachers have been waiting for these funding dollars for a while. During -more-
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