lawprofessors

By  Michelle Ball , California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Last week, the California Court of Appeals for the Sixth District handed down Bullis Charter School vs. Los Altos School District (October 27, 2011).  This case vindicated the rights of charter schools to facilities reasonably equivalent to other schools in the district.  This is an important decision for California parents and students as it will ensure charter students are not jipped and/or do not get stuck in small, run down facilities, with inadequate space for sports, child care, and students. In Bullis , which interpreted the Charter Schools Act (California Education Code 47600 ) and Proposition 39 (Education Code 47614 ), the Court of Appeals granted Bullis' request for a court order to be issued to the Los Altos School District. Essentially, the court ordered the District to provide a "complete and fair facilities offer to Bullis from which it could be determined that 'reasonably equivalent...

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Last night (2/2/11), the Sacramento County Board of Education approved an application for 5 new charter schools in the Sacramento area.  This will create more choices for our youth to attend school outside the traditional setting.  But, what is a CHARTER school?  Parents want to know. Charter schools are authorized in the California Education Code starting with section 47600  http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=47001-48000&file=47600-47604.5  under the "Charter Schools Act of 1992" which states: The purpose outlined by the legislature for such schools is to "[P]rovide opportunities for teachers, parents, pupils, and community members to establish and maintain schools that operate independently from the existing school district structure as a method to accomplish all of the following: (a)  Improve pupil learning. (b)  Increase learning opportuniti...

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Hello! The blogging world is a new one for me.  I am an attorney in Sacramento, California practicing education law on behalf of students since 1995 .  I handle a whole gamut of issues, including student discipline matters, expulsions, suspensions and suspension appeals, even protesting inappropriate behavior contracts and other punishments.  I also delve into special education, attend IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings, 504 meetings, and file due process as needed.  Help usually begins with a review of documents, and correspondence to the school, school district or college involved.  Oftentimes I can resolve matters via phone and email without leaving my office.  Sometimes we have to go further as a personal appearance is required   (e.g. at an expulsion hearing or board of education meeting) or necessary to move things along.  My clients also help determine whic...