Spending flexibility, yes, but at whose expense?

04-23-2010

Blog by John Fensterwald/Educated Guess

In slashing education spending over the past two years, Gov. Schwarzenegger and the Legislature have given school districts more authority to choose how to spend their dwindling dollars. Sacramento has untied the strings on many “categorical programs” – those funded for specific purposes, such as buying textbooks and teaching civics education. But, to an extent, equity has been sacrificed for flexibility: In many districts, programs primarily benefiting low-income, minority students – summer school, high school exit exam tutoring, community day schools – have been sacrificed to prevent further layoffs and keep the lights on for everyone. Now there’s an opportunity to really get it right. (more...)

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Spending flexibility, yes, but at whose expense?

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