Public School Policies

Book banning is an age-old concept that is nearly always met with a public outcry. That is certainly the case in two areas of the country today, where schools that have banned specific books from the classroom have been met with plenty of resistance from parents and educators. The ACLU has even involved itself in one of the situations, with a goal of protecting the civil rights of teachers and students. Is book banning appropriate in certain situations? We’ll take a look at what those involved are saying about the recent proposals to ban some pieces of literature from the classroom.

Arizona Ethnic Study Ban Includes Works by Shakespeare

Two years ago, Arizona instituted a law banning ethnic studies, a move that made headlines and ruffled many feathers in the world of education. According to a report at the Wall Street Journal, one high school teacher recently discovered that the ban includes “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare. The teacher had requested to begin teaching from the work but was told he would not be able to do so.

The now-former Arizona teacher, Curtis Acosta, wrote in a statement printed at the Wall Street Journal, “I asked if I could start teaching Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest, and was told no, due to the themes that are present and the likelihood of avoiding discussions of colonization, enslavement, and racism were remote.”

The new Arizona law prohibits any type of course or class that “promotes the overthrow of the

Most Americans take the public education system in this country for granted, assuming that education for all American citizens is a right that has always been provided. However, the history of public education in the United States is one that dates back centuries, and it offers insight into the constantly evolving process of creating a learned society in this country. By understanding our roots in public education, it is easier to discuss the general purpose of public education in the broader scope of where the educational structure lies today.

Three Central Questions of Public Education

The definition of “public education” may vary, depending on the country to which you are referring. In the United States, as well as Australia and Canada, public education is defined at Education Bug as a “federally funded school, administered to some extent by the government, and charged with educating all citizens.” It refers to both primary and secondary schools, as well as some public institutions of higher education, although there is typically a cost to attend such institutions. Public schools have been present in America almost since the time the first immigrants landed on Plymouth Rock and called this country home.

Since the beginning, three core questions have evolved as the government has struggled to find the best methods for educating its citizens. According to a report at PBS.org, these questions include:

• What is the primary purpose of public education?
• Who should be able to receive the educational services provided to the

Despite the fact that New Jersey boasts a higher per-pupil expenditure in public education than any other state in the country, many of the public schools across the state are failing to provide the quality education students need to succeed today. This is particularly true in low-income cities like Camden, Trenton and Newark, where high school graduation rates fall well below the state average. Concerned with the data coming out of his school districts, Governor Chris Christie promised to make 2011 the year of education reform. His first legislative victory to that end will go into effect in 2012, allowing non-profit organizations to construct new schools in failing areas of the state.

The Urban Hope Act

The recent bill signed by Governor Christie, known as the “Urban Hope Act,” is a 10-year pilot program that allows non-profits to build and run schools in low-income areas of the state. According to a report at Bloomberg, these schools, referred to as “renaissance schools,” will be located in the cities of Trenton, Newark and Camden – currently classified as some of the poorest cities in the country. Groups interested in taking on a school construction project may apply through local school boards first and then through the state department of education. As many as four schools in each city will be allowed.

“This is an innovative idea that allows us to partner with folks who will bring capital to the table to build these schools,”

Corruption charges have been filed against four San Diego public school officials and one contractor in the largest corruption investigation in the recent history of this beach city. The investigation was prompted by allegations of bribes taken by public school trustees and one superintendent, and it uncovered widespread corruption in what the San Diego district attorney referred to as a “pay for play” culture. Current charges may not be the only ones filed, since the DA has revealed the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

Defendants Associated with San Diego Public Schools

According to a report at the Los Angeles Times, charges have been filed against Arlie Ricasa, Pearl Quinones, Greg Sandoval, Jesus Gandara, and Henry Amigable. Ricasa and Quinones are both Union High School Trustees that serve on the school board. Gandara is the former superintendent of the San Diego School District, who was fired from his post last June after receiving a $400,000 payout from the school system. Sandoval is also a former school board member. Amigable is a construction contractor, who worked for Sweetwater and Southwestern College, as well as securing contracts from the San Diego Public School system.

According to a report at Fox News, school officials charged in the probe racked up hundreds of dollars in lavish gifts provided by Amigable between 2008 and last year. Gifts included restaurant tabs, as well as airline, concert, and theatre tickets. Tickets to the Lakers’ playoff games and the Rose

When Kansas City Public Schools lost their accreditation in September, many predicted that when that decision went into effect on January 1, 2012, there would be a mass exodus of students from Kansas City Public Schools to neighboring school districts. While this prediction is shaping up to be somewhat accurate, some surrounding suburban school districts are taking measures to keep student transfers to a manageable number. For five school districts, court action may be required to ensure the changes coming to Missouri schools do not hit them where it hurts most – right in the pocketbook.

This video reports on the Kansas City Public Schools loss of accreditation in 2011.

Student Transfers: Who Pays?

Currently, Missouri law requires unaccredited districts to pay to send students to accredited districts nearby if the students request the transfer. However, according to a report in the Huffington Post, the cash-strapped Kansas City Public Schools district has admitted it cannot afford to pay for bus transportation for transfers outside the three closest school districts. The Kansas City Board of Education has not addressed the issue of tuition costs, leaving neighboring school districts wondering if they will get reimbursement for the additional students they are called upon to educate.

In addition, the district will not authorize transfers for students who have not attended a Kansas City Public School for at least two full