News
New and Noteworthy
Equity Leader David Sciarra named to National Education Commission
David Sciarra, Executive Director of Education Law Center (ELC), was selected to serve on the national Education Equity and Excellence Commission, newly established by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), as instructed by Congress. The Commission will hold public meetings and hearings across the nation to gather information to recommend ways school finance can be improved to increase equity and achievement. In May 2012, the Commission will issue a report to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Congress.
The commissioners are listed here.
Education Justice Recent News
- N.J. Governor Christie Distorts Graduation Rate Numbers
One week after releasing new graduation rates hailed as "a more complete and accurate way of calculating the high school graduation rate," Governor Christie ignored that data and made up his own--much lower--numbers to attack the state's urban public schools.
- What You Need To Know About ALEC
From Education Week's "Bridging Differences" blog:
Since the 2010 elections, when Republicans took control of many states, there has been an explosion of legislation advancing privatization of public schools and stripping teachers of job protections and collective bargaining rights. This outburst of anti-public school, anti-teacher legislation is no accident. It is the work of a shadowy group called the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC.
- New York Says, Sorry, Kids, Can't Afford you
Oral argument before New York State's highest court, in the Hussein v. State Small City School Districts' case, seeks sufficient funding for a "sound basic education," as required by the New York Constitution.
- ELC Sues NJDOE Seeking Emergency Health and Safety Repairs
Education Law Center (ELC) has commenced legal action against the NJ Department of Education (DOE) for the agency's failure to promptly review and approve hundreds of emergency health and safety projects.
- Resistance to Equity is Deep, Long-standing and Bipartisan
State leaders have steadfastly resisted and rarely embraced equity in educational opportunity for millions of the schoolchildren whose rights they are sworn to uphold. Recent events in Colorado, Connecticut, and New York underscore that, yet again, this resistance is deep and bipartisan.
2012
May 15, 2012 - N.J. Governor Christie Distorts Graduation Rate Numbers
May 10, 2012 - What You Need To Know About ALEC
May 01, 2012 - New York Says, Sorry, Kids, Can't Afford You
Apr 27, 2012 - ELC Sues NJDOE Seeking Emergency Health and Safety Repairs
Apr 25, 2012 - Colorado Underfunds Programs Needed to Teach English
Apr 23, 2012 - Montana Plaintiffs Win, Prior Remedy Upheld
Apr 19, 2012 - Pro-charter Organization Issues Report on Washington, D.C.
Apr 17, 2012 - New York's Children Deserve the Opportunity to Learn
Apr 11, 2012 - Court Finds High Quality Pre-K Needed and Colorado Pre-K Weak
Apr 04, 2012 - "School Reform" Goes to Court After Texas Cuts $5.4 Billion in School Aid
Apr 02, 2012 - ELC Urges New York State to Honor CFE Promise, as Advocates Win Better School Funding
Mar 26, 2012 - CFE Calls for New York State to Renew Its Commitment to Children
Mar 23, 2012 - ELC Presents at Salzburg Global Seminar
Mar 14, 2012 - Federal Report Shows Impact of Funding Inequity and Inexperienced Teachers
Feb 29, 2012 - School Funding System Tested in Court
Jan 07, 2012 - Washington State School Funding System Unconstitutional
Jan 06, 2012 - NCLB Waiver Applications: Omissions and Unanswered Questions
Jan 04, 2012 - Key Findings in Lobato v. State Colorado Ruling
2011
Dec 23, 2011 - Resistance to Equity is Deep, Long-standing and Bipartisan
Dec 13, 2011 - Colorado School Funding Unconstitutional
Nov 10, 2011 - State NCLB Waivers to Cost Billions?
Oct 24, 2011 - Schools and Parents Sue Texas and California
Oct 11, 2011 - Wisconsin leads the nation in cutting school funding
Oct 03, 2011 - 5 Myths About Gov. Chris Christie's Ed Reform in New Jersey
Sep 26, 2011 - Hanushek Shows Up Again? ---"Star" State Witness Against Fair School Funding
Aug 23, 2011 - Federal Commission Told "We Need Equity and Opportunity"
Aug 16, 2011 - Court Orders State to Fund Pre-K
Aug 16, 2011 - Court Stops Religious School Vouchers
Aug 01, 2011 - Trial Begins Today in Colorado