Attorney General No.
SA95RF0045
Secretary of State No.
704
Description
EDUCATION. FOUR DISTRICT PILOT PROGRAM. ADVANCEMENT BY TEST. VOUCHERS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Establishes 10-year pilot program for grades 1-12 in Oakland, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego unified school districts. Program requires selection of independently developed, standardized grade-level examinations, given at least every two months, to assess academic skills in English, mathematics, geography, physical science, history, and civics. Passing score required for most public school pupils before advancement to next grade. Comparative performance reports required. Provides annual state-funded vouchers of $2,800 to $3,000 to parents of private school pupils in pilot districts who pass examinations. Restricts initial eligibility for vouchers. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Unknown General Fund costs or savings due to (1) the availability of private school scholarships in four urban school districts and (2) additional education costs of students who fail a mandated proficiency test. State costs in the range of $30 million per year for administration and reporting results of the grade-level examinations. Most of this cost would reduce funding available for other education activities.
Proponents
David Barulich, Back to Basics Committee, 1041 Rutland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Date
1-17-1996
Document Type
Initiative
Qualified
Failed to Qualify
Recommended Citation
Education. Four District Pilot Program. Advancement By Test. Vouchers For Private Schools. California Initiative 704 (1996).
https://repository.uclawsf.edu/ca_ballot_inits/862