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CER Publications
June 11, 1999
A decision from Vermont’s Supreme Court on school choice demonstrates how uneven the judgment of judges can be. While in Ohio judges found their program constitutional, in Vermont parents weren’t so lucky. The court there ruled that religious schools will not be among the choices Vermont parents can have, a decision that may force the hand of the US Supreme Court.Meanwhile back in Ohio legislators are working to fix the Cleveland school choice program which was ruled invalid by the courts on a technicality.
In Pennsylvania, Governor Ridge held a massive choice rally at the state capitol in Harrisburg. The rally brought together 2,000 parents, children, and even two busloads of union teamsters who support school choice. Legislative action on Ridge’s Educational Opportunity Grant Program and the Academic Recovery Act is expected next week.
On the charter school front: with the ink barely dry on Oregon’s new charter laws, The Renaissance School in Eagle Point Oregon was approved for charter status at the school board meeting June 9. Kudos to Shannon Sanders, the Director and a teacher, for her efforts.
Californians are rallying against a sneak attack by those against charter schools. The legislature has before it a state budget bill that will close down over 30 charter schools and severely harm 20 schools that use non-classroom based instructional methods. Over 19,000 students and families would be denied the educational program they believe works best if the bill passes.
And finally, our school-of-the-week award goes to a Inglewood Unified School District elementary school, Kelso Elementary School. It has earned the distinction of being one of California’s more successful high-poverty schools. With 78% of the student body qualifying for the free-or reduced priced lunch program, and a make-up of 48% Hispanic and 51% black, this district school is beating the odds using the "Open Court" curriculum method. On last year's statewide achievement tests Kelso students, with the exception of the third graders, beat the national average, with some classes scoring in the top 20% of the national comparison groups.
Have a great week!
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The CER Newswire is published by The Center for Education Reform, the nation's leading authority on school reform. CER is dedicated to making schools better for America's children by improving educational access and excellence for all. CER works with parents, teachers and policymakers to advance meaningful education improvement initiatives.
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