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
State scrutinizes fees schools charge for basic education
- 01-05-2011
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By Shanna McCord/San Jose Mercury News
The practice of asking students to buy a PE uniform, contribute to the cost of art supplies or pay for a field trip or football uniform is being closely watched by the state since the American Civil Liberties Union won a lawsuit that says such fees are unconstitutional. School officials across California received a letter Thursday from former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asking districts to review their policies to ensure students are not charged any illegal fees that could violate their constitutional right to a free and equal public education. Santa Cruz City Schools Superintendent Gary Bloom says the lawsuit simply enforces a decades-old state law, though he acknowledges school districts would have a hard time surviving the current fiscal crisis without voluntary contributions from parents. "It's never been permissible to require students to pay fees for basic activities such as athletics and field trips, but it does go on," Bloom said. "This has been danced around in California for many years." (more…)
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