If the CA Supreme Court agrees to review the case it could have major implications for the state’s financial support of its public school system as well as the quality of the education provided to more than 6 million students in California. Currently, California’s public schools hover near the bottom nationally in per-pupil spending, staff-to-student ratio and student achievement.
“The Appeals Court decision declaring that students have no right to ensure that the education they receive is of any quality whatsoever cannot stand if our children and state are to prosper,” said Public Advocates managing attorney and lead counsel in CQE v. California John Affeldt. “We will ask the Supreme Court to declare that a meaningful level of educational quality is indeed a right of every student and that the State has a duty to ensure the resources are in place to deliver it,” he said.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit — representing thousands of parents, students and education advocates — include the Campaign for Quality Education (CQE), Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Californians for Justice (CFJ), PICO California and Faith in Action Bay Area, plus more than 20 individual students and parents. Plaintiffs in Robles-Wong v. California include school districts, the CA Schools Board Association, and teachers union.
“This is an enormously important case for the people of California,” said Steve Mayer, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the appeal of CQE v. California. “We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will agree and grant review,” he said.
The California Supreme Court will consider the plaintiffs’ petition and a decision on the matter can be expected within ninety days.
For a copy of the petition by plaintiffs to the California Supreme Court, click here.
For more information about Campaign for Quality Education v. California click here.
