California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, discusses the Dashboard in an issued statement regarding the report of the federal School Safety Commission. In Torlakson’s statement, he makes clear that the recommendations of the commission (put together in response to the Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School shooting) are made in error.

Disciplining Students in a Proportionate, Fair Manner

“I am extremely disappointed that the School Safety Commission report contains a misguided recommendation to eliminate a policy that has nothing to do with the continuing tragedy of school shootings—the quest for disciplining students in a proportionate, fair manner,” states Torlakson.

He adds, “I strongly oppose this recommendation and the Department of Education’s reported plans to rescind the Obama administration’s guidance encouraging schools to work to reduce the disproportionate suspension and expulsion rates for students of color and students with disabilities that are found throughout our nation …. California encourages districts to reduce or eliminate disparities in discipline given out to student groups. The California School Dashboard reveals the suspension rates of all student groups, supplying the data needed to take action to ensure equity for all students.”

The superintendent’s statement points out that the School Safety Commission’s report had little to say about gun control. A military-style assault weapon was used in the killing of 14 students and three teachers at Marjory Stoneham Douglas. It is unclear, at this time, why the School Safety Commission believes eliminating policies which make school discipline fairer will make the student body safer.

Juvenile Defense Attorney

Hiring an Orange County school expulsion lawyer can help your child achieve a favorable outcome in a school expulsion hearing. Please contact us to schedule a free consultation with juvenile defender Katie Walsh and her team. Call (714) 351-0178 or submit a confidential inquiry now.

This month, California’s Board of Education approved a final version of its state accountability plan known as the Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA. The law, passed in 2015, governs the United States K–12 public education policy. The LA School Report points out that ESSA requires each state had to determine a method of evaluating schools that did not focus on academics. While most states are relying on chronic absenteeism as an indicator of student success, California is instead looking at suspension rates as well as the college and career indicator.

“California has the most ambitious plan in the nation to give additional resources to students with the greatest needs as we prepare all students for college and 21st century careers,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson. “The ESSA plan approved today will support those efforts.”

It took some time to get there, 18 months of hearings, but U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos approved the California plan, leaving only New York yet to receive approval. California, through ESSA, should be getting about $2.6 billion this year in funding through ESSA, according to EdSource.

How Will California Use the Funding?

• About $1.8 billion goes to low-income students.
• $128 million to migrant children under Title I.
• About $230 million go towards training and recruiting teachers and school leaders under Title II.
• About $6 million could go toward training principals on new academic standards.
• About $150 million is for language instruction under Title III.
• About $180 million goes toward academic enrichment, after-school programs, and improving school climate, under Title IV.

“California is a national leader in supporting students with extra needs, providing local control over spending, encouraging community participation in schools, and releasing critical information on measures that indicate student success,” said California State Board of Education President, Michael W. Kirst. “Our ESSA plan allows that work to continue.”

Orange County School Expulsion Hearings

If your son or daughter is facing a school expulsion hearing in California, please reach out to The Law Offices of Katie Walsh. We can help you navigate the school discipline process and advocate for your child, safeguarding their rights. Attorney Walsh has extensive experience in the juvenile court system.