The Latest
Update on NCLB Testing Lawsuit
Coachella Valley USD et. al. v. State of California San Francisco Superior Court decision is appealed to the First Appellate District – Division 5 in San Francisco
Superior Court Judge Kramer decided on May 25, 2007 that he didn’t have the authority through the writ of mandate process to order California to change its testing system for the purposes of the No Child Left Behind Act because he decided that the duties under NCLB are discretionary, not mandatory. He did not review any evidence nor made any determination on whether or not California’s testing meets the requirement under NCLB that they be valid and reliable for English learners
Attached are the opening brief May 2008 and final brief November 2008, declaration from California School Boards Association and an amicus brief from the California Rural Legal Assistance filed with the appellate court. The next step is for the court to set a date for oral arguments.
Opening Brief Final Brief CSBA Declaration CRLA Amicus Brief
Supplanting versus Supplementing – Categorical Program Integrity
Twelve organizations are urging the State Superintendent of Instruction and the President of the State Board of Education to clarify the intent of categorical funds. State law and court cases lay the legal foundation for guaranteeing that categorical funds are to supplement the base program and not supplant the services guaranteed to English learners. The following letter should be shared with all stakeholders. Letter to Supt. O’Connell
Proposed Mid-Year Budget Cuts – Help the Most Vulnerable and Poor Students
Call or write your representatives and oppose the Governor’s Flexibility Proposal for Categorical Programs and ask for new revenues to avoid large mid-year cuts.
Action Alert Budget Issue Paper Spanish letter to Gov Budget Issue Paper:Spanish
Exciting One Day Workshop – January 14, 2009 – Register NOW
Dr. Robert Marzano presents “Building Academic Background Knowledge in English Language Learners: An Idea Whose Time Has Come”
AND
Silvia Duque de Reyes presents “Standards Based Differentiation for English Learners
AB 1871 (Coto) Authorization for BCLAD
Support Letters to the Governor Now!!! Multiple routes must be made available to educators seeking the state authorization to teach in bilingual and dual language immersion programs! AB 1871 (Coto) will make this possible.