For public school students in California, where you live usually determines where you can learn. To David Haglund, that's not right.
This month, Haglund, principal of the Riverside Virtual School, an online independent study program run by the Riverside Unified School District, introduced a statewide ballot initiative that would give students unrestricted access to publicly funded courses – wherever they are.
The California Student Bill of Rights Initiative is "designed to eliminate control by ZIP code," Haglund said.
Under the proposal, schools, districts and county education offices would be required to make available to all students the courses needed for admission to the state's universities. They could be classroom-based, online or a blended model of the two.
"There is no statewide provision for online learning in California. … Consequently, it's like the Old West," Haglund said.
Skeptics say that while the proposal attempts to address real problems in education access and equity, it's not the right mechanism to do so. They say the initiative, if passed, could send more public money to private companies.
After the initiative is cleared by the state attorney general's office for circulation – a target date is set for next month – it will need 504,760 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
– California Watch
EDUCATION WATCH
University of California regents are meeting this morning – at four campuses. The board was to meet earlier this month but canceled that gathering after warnings of violent protests. The board – connected by teleconference from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Davis and Merced – will discuss UC's request to the state for $2.8 billion next year.
– Laurel Rosenhall
WORTH REPEATING
"The economic, environmental and public health risks posed by the shrinking (Salton) Sea place us at a critical juncture."
ASSEMBLYMAN V. MANUEL PÉREZ, D-Coachella. An Assembly budget subcommittee hearing today in the south state looks at restoration funding.
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