Attorney General No.

SA95RF0045(REVISED)

Secretary of State No.

709

Description

EDUCATION. FOUR DISTRICT PILOT PROGRAM. ADVANCEMENT BY TEST. GRANTS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLING. 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, offered 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 grants of $2,800 or $3,000 to parents of privately-schooled pupils in pilot districts who pass examinations. Restricts initial eligibility for grants. 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 Ave., Los Angeles, Ca 90042 (213) 257-1827

Date

1-29-1996

Document Type

Initiative

Qualified

Failed to Qualify

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