SBE President Statement to Parent Empowerment

Contact:
Regina Wilson
916-319-0693

State Board of Education President Issues Statement Relating to
Parent Empowerment Regulations

Sacramento - State Board President Michael Kirst issued the following statement after reviewing incomplete media reports to clarify the direction the State Board of Education established for the Parent Empowerment regulations at its February 9 board meeting.

"The meeting on February 9 was a learning and listening session for the board. As such, the board took no action on regulations nor did the board support legislation to amend the Parent Empowerment law. However, the board is aware that the temporary emergency regulations expire on March 15, and has placed Parent Empowerment regulations on its March 9 meeting agenda. In the future, the board will engage in a thoughtful process to develop regulatory guidance that will allow parents and school districts to make full use of the Parent Empowerment law,” said Kirst. “ I applaud the parents who traveled to Sacramento and testified before the board. Parental involvement is a key element for the success of all students. I know that their input will help guide the board in its work on this issue."

The Parent Empowerment law (SBX5 4) was part of legislation passed last year to help California pursue Race to the Top federal funding. It provides parents of pupils in low-achieving schools the ability to petition the school district to reform the school in which their child is or will be enrolled.

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