Sacramento - Senate Bill 680, a bipartisan bill authored by Senator Bob Huff (R - Diamond Bar) and Senator Gloria Romero (D - Los Angeles) was passed out of the Legislature today and now moves to the Governor's desk for his signature. SB 680 will extend the 17 year running School District of Choice program, which fosters public school choice by allowing parents to transfer their children to participating school districts without a transfer agreement.
"This bill says parents know what is best for their kids," said Senator Huff. "If you think we should give parents the freedom to choose the best public school for their kids, then you should support the District of Choice program."
The bill has been the center of a heated debate this year on the benefits of public school choice. And with over 5,000 students currently depending on the program, the issue has highlighted just how restrictive the current K-12 system has become.
"Currently we allow 18 year old students to choose which community college or which public 4 year university is best for them, but we tell those same people they are utterly unqualified to choose what primary school is best for their child," said Huff.
"The program brings a market mentality to the public education system," continued Huff. "When schools know parents can leave, it puts healthy pressure on them to perform their best and serve parents like a business serves a client."
Governor Schwarzenegger has included the District of Choice program in his recent education reform package to make California eligible for federal Race to the Top funds and, as such, is expected to sign SB 680. Otherwise all participating students will be obligated to leave their district of choice and move to unfamiliar schools, no matter how long students have attended their current school.
Last month, Senator Huff introduced comprehensive legislation (SBX5-1) in conjunction with Governor Schwarzenegger and key members of the Senate Education Committee which will make California fully eligible and competitive for the Race to the Top funds.
