6/25/2020
Talking points- AB 77 & SB 98

AB77 limits the choices of families who are trying to find alternative

schooling routes for their children in light of COVID-19 and creates

unprecedented barriers for well performing charter schools to succeed in

serving their students.

As a parent of school-aged children in the state of CA, I strongly oppose this exclusion of funding for growing and well-performing schools. Please amend AB 77 and SB 98 (section 43505) to remove language requiring non-classroom based charter schools to use average daily attendance numbers from the previous school year. School funding should be allowed to follow students so that each student in the state of CA is adequately supported.

AB 77 & SB 98 discriminate against students and families who need to pursue alternative educational options. In this unprecedented time, families need the flexibility to choose the best options for their unique circumstances. ADA funding NEEDS to follow each student so that every student in California can be supported through the school best suited for their needs. This bill will severely limit families’ options and force them into school formats that don’t work for them. This will result in a noticeable decline in education outcomes for California students.

AB 77 & SB 98 discriminate against non-classroom based public charter schools who are well-versed in providing the type of learning that many of our California students need during this time. If these schools do not receive proper funding, they will be forced to limit services and support, which will negatively impact the students it serves. Discriminating against these schools hurts all of our students.

Please, support the unique needs of our students during this time. Make education possible for many California students by amending AB 77 & SB 98 to allow ADA funding to follow all students, and support the needs of our diverse student population.

AB77 & SB98 both represent a massive policy shift that does not belong in a budget trailer bill. This is not a budget item. Stripping children of their right to ADA funding in order to protect schools that are not serving them is policy that demands further scrutiny and input from stakeholders.

AB77 & SB98 essentially defunds students who are not able to be successful in their government schools. Charters are faced with serving students already enrolled without any money to do so -- a practice far too reminiscent of Jim Crow and separate by equal laws. A

public school is a public school and children taking part in public school MUST be funded equally.

AB77 & SB98 set a dangerous precedent for stripping specific children of their access to ADA. Many families choosing ISP are doing so because their children were suffering under the Covid restrictions and they cannot afford private school. This bill specifically targets this population.