SBE Votes to Support ACLU Lawsuit Against LAUSD

For Immediate Release
May 6, 2010

Contact:
Regina Wilson
916-319-0693
rwilson@cde.ca.gov

California State Board of Education Votes to Support ACLU Lawsuit Against LAUSD Teacher Layoff Practices

California State Board of Education President Ted Mitchell and Board Member Benjamin Austin issued the following statements regarding the Board's unanimous vote this week to stand up for student civil rights by supporting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)/Public Council lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) teacher layoff practices that are disproportionately hurting low-income and minority schools:

"The State Board of Education voted unanimously to support this landmark ACLU lawsuit because it is what's right for the students of California," said Board President Mitchell. "We must take action to ensure that all students have equal access to quality education."

"By supporting the ACLU lawsuit, the State Board of Education unanimously sided with the parents and children of Los Angeles and California against the defenders of the status quo," said Board Member Austin. "This decision sends a powerful signal to every single parent in California that we stand with you in your struggle to make our public education system about children, not grown-ups."

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