The Obama administration’s “Race To the Top” education initiative carried out a crucial first step by granting two states, Delaware and Tennessee, $600 million in federal aid last Monday.
We may be biased in saying this — we want nothing but the best for the Sunshine State — but California should have received some of that money. Specifically the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is currently arguing over whether or not it will continue to grant permits to students wishing to transfer into surrounding districts, since the funding would have benefited it greatly. However, unlike Delaware and Tennessee, California has not taken the necessary steps to merit such funds. Both states have implemented a new system that rewards teachers on student preformance.
More than 12,000 students living in the LAUSD boundaries, ranging from elementary school to high school, have a permit allowing them to avoid attending their neighborhood schools.
LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines has decided that this habit of intradistrict transfers is over. Yes, this move warrants anger but the superintendent has full authority to act in such a manner. L.A. schools need funds.
Cortines claims that the district has upgraded many of its campuses, so families should no longer be worried about the quality of education their children will receive.
By bringing students back into the district, LAUSD will receive $51 million in state funding.
Not suprisingly, the superintendent’s announcement resulted in heated debates between him and parents who are hoping to keep their children at the schools they are enrolled in. Cortines’ concern seems to be with revenue while parents are obviously concerned with the their children’s education.
Forcing students to attend their neighborhood schools would result in discomfort and this could ultimately affect their learning. Relocation means having to adjust to new teachers, new classmates and of course a new institution — all of which is stressful, especially when students do not think it necessary.
Although this new policy would bring in more money for the district, demanding that 12,000 students switch schools could hinder the progress that each individual school should be focused on.
Instead of pushing through the issue head-first, Cortines should have tested the water by first setting stricter guidelines for obtaining a permit.
The impact of his announcement is huge — it affects thousands of students. Given this, we think a detailed plan is necessary, not a generalized and unclear announcement.
Certain cases will obviously be different and, as Cortines explained, special consideration will go into each student-appeal. While that is a fair way to approach the issue, shoveling through 12,000 student-appeals will be a lengthy process.
Bringing back students to LAUSD would affect the transfer schools as well. A loss of students means a loss of revenue for these districts. LAUSD teachers are urging families to fight Cortines decision and are offering them help to do so. Similarily, intradistict teachers at the parents’ desired districts are helping students remain at their respective schools.
There are exceptions to the new plan. Fifth, eighth and 12th grade students will be allowed to graduate from their current schools.
Reasons for out-of-district transfers vary from wanting to transfer because of availability of particular programs, such as arts or music, to accessibillity. Some parents work closer to their district of choice.
The problem, according to Cortines, is that parents are acting out of a sense of entitlement, simply switching schools because they do not like the one their children are assigned to. Cortines believes it’s “offensive” to dismiss the schools the students should be at.
Yet, the parents want the right to decide where their child will be educated. In these times, though, it is best not to be selfish. Not bending the rules of district boundaries that have been set for years is something we can’t argue against.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for comments made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for comments made on this Web site. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech.