District of Choice program scrapped
In an arcane move by the Assembly Democrats, the 16 year running program that provides public school choice to parents and children was completely scrapped today. The District of Choice program was the last statewide school choice program in California and served thousands of students across the state.
The Assembly Appropriations Committee voted to end the program with only Democrats voting against the measure. As a result, starting tomorrow, over 5,000 students benefiting from this program will be obligated by law to leave their schools and enroll in new, unfamiliar schools.
"District of Choice has fostered excellence in education for 16 years, giving parents real choice for their education dollars and motivates public schools losing enrollment to improve, said Senator Bob Huff (R- Diamond Bar). "School choice has worked in community colleges for over 20 years for college students. Parents should have the same kind of choice for their younger children."
In what was a rare departure from decorum in the legislature, the Chair of Assembly Appropriations, Kevin de Leon (D - Los Angeles) gave the choice program a kangaroo court hearing as he attempted to circumvent legislative house rules and spoke curtly to the authors and supporters of the bill. The Chair also offered a number of policy amendments even though the Appropriations Committee is traditionally reserved for fiscal concerns.
"The kids who benefit from this program were not given the respect they deserve today. In my entire tenure in the legislature, I have never seen such a proceeding," said Huff.
"The question before the committee today was: Should we give parents the right choice to choose the best public school for their kids? Assembly Democrats flatly rejected that notion."
Senator Huff represents the 29th Senate District that includes portions to Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties.
What a cowardly act; that will have negitive consequences for the kids from low-income families that actually what a better chance at a good education. Our country will continue to spiral down to third world status un-less the powers that be understand that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Maintaining mediocracy in education is a sure sigh of a society in decline.
Those that think they will escape the wrath to come because of this action, are eithier very naive or very stupid. Either way there will be consequences.
If you live in the City of Walnut than you should go to the Walnut Unified School District. We pay taxes in Walnut, we shop in Walnut, our community is Walnut. We should have the right to go to the school in our OWN City! If I wanted my children to go to Rowland Unified than I would have put them in that district. But no offense, the middle school and the high school that my children would have to go to is NOT where I want my children to go. The elementary school where my child is going to is a part of the Rowland family and is in Walnut. It's a wonderful elementary but after she graduates from that school, we would rather pay for private school or move, than for her to go to that high school. No Way is she going to that High School!! If you want to talk about rights and equality, think about this. People who live in Walnut pay a lot to be there, we DESERVE to have our children go to the BEST school. This is one of the main reasons why people move to Walnut. Walnut has the Best schools, great community, and wonderful people. How about Giving ALL of WALNUT residence RIGHTS!!!
Regardless of the residential area, parents should have the choice to send their children to whichever school they choose. This country represents freedom and the "pursuit of happiness." The government should have warned the students ahead of time. Yes, Mimi. We DO "deserve to our children to go to the BEST school." EXACTLY. My daughter is earning straight A's and almost straight A+'s in Walnut High School. She achieved one of the highest scores on her STAR testings. Currently enrolled in Chemistry Honors, a weighted class, she is earning a 5.0. If my daughter leaves WHS, it is the school's loss. However, my daughter still wants to stay in the school, which is a benefit to both her and the school.
My daughter is doing very well in a Walnut Valley Unified School District school too. Her outstanding CAT results year to year is the best reflection of our correct choice of crossing to another school district. This isn't necessarily about income level of a family, many of our friends with 6-figure incomes have also elected to send their kids to WVUSD instead of their public home schools right after private school. Allowing parents to have a choice of public school looks like a good way to motivate the public schools to provide better quality education to kids from all walks of live. This is about the country's hope and future!