AB 424, authored by Assemblyman Keith Richman (R - 38), proposes to repeal most sections of California's Education Code including those sections relating to private schools. The bill also calls for the creation of a fifteen-member commission to be charged with the task of producing a recommended, revised version of the Education Code by January 1, 2005.
CAPSO opposes AB 424 in its current form for two, primary reasons.
First and foremost, California's private schools are doing an outstanding job educating 10% of the state's K-12 population under the existing laws and saving taxpayers $6 billion per year in the process. If it's not "broke," why "fix" it?
Secondly, the bill states that the fifteen-member commision, "...may only make recommended revisions to the Education Code that affect child care and development services and the elementary and secondary public school system" (emphasis ours)." If the intent of the bill is to restrict revisions to those sections of the Code affecting public education only, it stands to reason that the sections relating to private schools should be left in place.
