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Gap in instructional time for CA minority students spurs a lawsuit

LA School Report | May 30, 2014



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Logo_LATimesVia Los Angeles Times | By Steven Ceasar


The state Education Department has ignored its obligation to ensure that all California students receive a minimum level of instructional time, predominantly affecting minorities from low-income families, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday.

The lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court by the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Counsel and others, contends the lack of quality learning time for these students is in violation of the state Constitution’s equal protection guarantee because the state does not ensure all students have access to an adequate education.

State officials did not immediately comment on the litigation.

Cruz vs. California, filed on behalf of students from seven schools, including campuses in the Los Angeles and Compton school districts, aims to protect the rights of students as the state fails to address a wide disparity in educational opportunity, lawyers for the plaintiffs said.

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