CQE Gathers to Plan 2011

(Nov. 23, 2010)

From November 19-20, 2010, the Campaign for Quality Education gathered in Oakland, California to plan our efforts in 2011.  Though the weather was gray and rainy, the energy and spirit of the convening was the complete opposite, with over 90 students, parents, and allies from across the state providing warm energy and great ideas for the future direction of the CQE.   Old friends Bay Area PLAN, AYPAL, and Public Advocates were joined by new allies including Educacy, Educate our State, Fathers and Families of San Joaquin, San Joaquin Delta College working with Espino, Somos Mayfair from San Jose, Parents for Great Education from Silicon Valley, and Familias en Accion.

Over the two day gathering, we analyzed key targets and planned our strategies for our CQE v. California lawsuit and our 2011 policy priorities.    Our #1 policy priority is supporting and/or drafting legislation that seeks adequate and equitable funding for our public schools.

For more info on the CQE v. California lawsuit, go to the lawsuit's website at http://www.fairschoolsnow.org/

Are you ready for the November 2010 Elections?

(Oct. 1, 2010)

The CQE has produced a Voter Guide for the November 2010 California elections.  We received responses from both Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates and five of six Governor candidates discussing important issues such as the California budget, the education budget, high school dropout, and immigration.  We also researched four propositions that affect education, students, and community health.  To see the CQE November 2010 Voter's Guide, click here

Our position on Propositions 23, 24, 25, and 26 are below and in the Voter Guide.

GRASSROOTS COALITION SUES CALIFORNIA OVER SCHOOL FUNDING

GRASSROOTS COALITION SUES CALIFORNIA OVER SCHOOL FUNDING
Says State Violating Fundamental Right to Education by Shortchanging Students

Oakland—A coalition of grassroots groups and individuals representing thousands of low-income students and parents from across California is suing the State of California over a school funding system that the Governor’s own Committee on Education Excellence said is “not equitable;…not efficient; and…not sufficient for students who face the greatest challenges.”

The lawsuit calls on the State to live up to its constitutional responsibility and “provide all California public school students with a new school finance system that sufficiently and equitably supports its public schools, so that every child has a reasonable opportunity to obtain a meaningful education that prepares them for civic, social, and economic success in the 21st century.”

Plaintiffs in the case include the Campaign for Quality Education (CQE), Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Californians for Justice (CFJ) and San Francisco Organizing Project (SFOP), plus more than 20 individual students and parents. They are represented by Public Advocates Inc., a San Francisco-based public interest law firm and advocacy group that also served as a lead counsel in Williams v. California and Serrano v. Priest, as well as Howard Rice, and Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, two prominent national law firms serving as pro bono counsel.

“Since California was founded, our constitution has recognized public education as the State’s highest and most necessary duty. We’re filing this suit to force the State to live up to its founding promise to invest in our most valuable asset—the human potential of Californians,” said John Affeldt, managing attorney at Public Advocates. “With funding for education at historic lows, we’re bleeding away tremendous reserves of student potential and with it the future prosperity and well-being of the state.”

To read the complete press release and for more information on the historic CQE et. al v. California, go to www.fairschoolsnow.org

May 11: CQE Grades California's Schools (Recap)

(May 11, 2010)

Sacramento, CA--Approaching the 56th anniversary of Brown v. Board, students and parents of color gathered in the State Capitol to grade California's public school system from 2000 - 2010.  In six "subjects," the state earned a dismal overall 0.66 GPA.  The categories included Funding, Graduation Rates, and College and Career Readiness.

The students and parents came as part of the Campaign for Quality Education's day of action titled "M.I.A.: California Ditching Schools from 2000 - 2010."

The morning portion of the program featured student and parent speakers from groups across the state, ranging from OC Human Relations in Orange County to Inner City Struggle in East Los Angeles, and Californians for Justice in Fresno to the Bay Area's PLAN.  The keynote speaker was Assemblymember Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica) who chairs the Assembly Education Committee.   To read the full press release, click here.

To see the CQE's Report Card on California public education from 2000 - 2010, click here.  To see a Historical Timeline of attacks on California's schools from 2000 - 2010, click here.