History of IDEA
Jeannie Oakes, Founder and Former Director
Youth Voice in School Finance
NEW REPORT: Los Angeles' road to A-G for all
Without Dollars and Sense Powerpoint
Past Educational Opportunity Reports
Valley families pay for extracurricular activities
- 02-16-2010
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By Marc Benjamin & Tracy Correa/The Fresno Bee
California law says children are entitled to a free education. That includes band, football and other activities at the heart of school life. But many Valley families have discovered that "free" can cost thousands of dollars a year. To meet the letter of the law while still shifting the cost of extracurricular activities to families, schools -- chronically short of funding -- pressure students to buy extras or meet fundraising quotas. And while districts say they offer financial aid, many families complain that schools make little effort to publicize the help. That means students often miss out on the activities -- and what can be lifelong benefits that go with them. "It's no child left behind -- unless your children can't pay," said Sam Keeney, a Clovis father and disabled combat veteran. (more...)
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