Copyright© 2000 by School Services of California, Inc.
Three Propositions That May Change the Face of Public
Education
On November 7, voters will decide the fate of three propositions that have the potential to change the face of public education-one very dramatically. SSC has provided analyses of the impact each of the propositions in past issues of the Update, but now as the election draws near we want to put these initiatives into the perspective of the overall education reform effort in California.
As education's focus has turned to objective measures of student performance such as the STAR Test and the Academic Performance Index (API) at the K-12 level, California's students will increasingly be compared to those in other states. The previous focus on input and process, particularly regarding funding, is nearing an end. California schools are now funded at or near the national average (accept for community colleges) and the closing of this gap is a tribute to the commitment of many people and organizations; it was a long time coming, but has arrived.
Now the variables affecting education are not stated merely in monetary terms. The degree of independence afforded to schools and school districts, the condition of our facilities, and the level of involvement of local communities in their schools are now looming larger as determinants of student success.
Two of the November 7th initiatives, Propositions 35 and 39, are intended to make it possible for our students to access the same level and quality of facilities enjoyed by students in other states. Proposition 35 ensures that K-14 school districts retain the right to select architects locally and reinforces the need for an objective selection process. In the larger scheme of things, the right to this local control may directly influence voters' willingness to support state and local school bonds in the future. SSC joins CASH and CASBO in urging a "YES" vote on Proposition 35.
Proposition 39 reduces the current 2/3 vote requirement for local school bonds to 55%. While 55% is still a super-majority, indications are that many more communities would be able to pass bonds and become more accountable for their own facility needs at that threshold. As a trade-off for this lowered threshold, bonds passed under the 55% provision will have additional constraints, including cast-iron caps on the rates property owners will pay for the bonds (see article "Strict Accountability Measures Will be Imposed if Proposition 39 Passes, Page 232 in this edition of the Update). Bonds are rarely about money, at least in voters' minds; they are more often about the credibility of the district and the involvement the community feels with its schools. A 55% vote takes away the disadvantage communities have when each "no" vote counts twice as much as each "yes" vote. We join all statewide education organizations in asking you to vote "YES" on Proposition 39.
The high stakes initiative is Proposition 38. This initiative would change public education in a dramatic and, we think, unfair and negative way. Providing vouchers will take resources away from public education at a time when we have just begun to fund K-12 schools equitably and appear to be gaining ground on student achievement as compared to other states. We believe vouchers will also serve to divide our diverse population even more, so that the public schools could in the future be serving fewer mainstream students and more students who are more challenging or more costly to educate. Many voucher schools might want the student for whom a voucher provides a profit, but how many will want the student on whom a profit cannot be made?
You have heard us speak of the fiscal issues embodied in Proposition 38 (no funding guarantee for community colleges), but we believe the societal issues are equally important. The children of California deserve the best education possible; bringing the well-intentioned activists who support vouchers back inside the system should be a high priority-we need them on the inside improving the system for all students, not just the ones who can "opt out." We adamantly oppose Proposition 38 and urge you to vote "NO."
The consistent theme in all three of these propositions is local involvement, local control, and a quality education for every student-an education that measures up against any state or national standard. SSC always has and always will advocate for the children of California. On November 7th, you can too. Vote "YES" on Propositions 35 and 39, and "NO" on Proposition 38.
--Ron Bennett, Ken Hall, Bob Blattner