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Learn about pending legislation or activities that could affect the quality of education your children receive. Take action today!

SB 381 Introduced by Senator Rod Wright, SB 381 mandates that any district choosing to implement an “A-G for All” policy must also provide an additional 3 sequenced Career Technical Education (CTE) courses.

Why this bill is dangerous: If SB 381 becomes law, school districts’ efforts to improve college-going rates and increase rigor for all students will be severely compromised. The legislation would require districts to add costly new courses, additional teachers, and new facilities. SB 381 will not improve opportunities for student success. Instead, it will codify a tracking system that hurts our students, our schools, and the future of our communities.

This bill has made it out of both the Senate and The Assembly Education Committee. It is now in appropriations. Please stay tuned for further updates.

Race to the Top Race to the Top is a competitive grant worth $4.35 billion dollars to be split among a select number for states who meet federal guidelines. The "Race to the Top" funds will provide competitive grants to districts designing and implementing new reforms to increase student achievement.

It is critical that California does everything in its power to be not only eligible but competitive for these federal dollars. 

The good news is that Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed Senate Bill 19 thus eliminating the state’s legal barrier against linking student achievement data to teachers for the purposes of evaluation.  This means that state leaders are serious about aggressively competing for every available stimulus dollar.  And yet, SB 19 is just the beginning.  

California has a long road ahead in order to assure that we are attractive for federal funding. Indeed, now that the foundation has been laid, it is time for state policymakers to build an application reflective of our passion and commitment to educate all students to the highest levels and prepare every single one of them for college and career.

(For more, please see The Education Trust-- West's Statement On The Federal Government's Release of "Race to the Top" Fund Regulations and California’s Failure to Meet Them)