STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Today Senate Democratic leadership
delivered letters to the state Attorney General and the Arizona State Board for
Charter Schools requesting they review the American Civil Liberties Union
report "Schools Choosing Students" to determine if violations of state
law occurred. The report includes allegations of widespread practices that
violate statutory requirements compelling charter schools to enroll "all
eligible pupils who submit a timely application." (ARS
§15-184 (A))
Among the findings in the report are:
- Illegal caps on special education student enrollment
- Disqualification of students based on their level of academic achievement
- Requiring "probationary periods" before finalizing enrollment, and later "counseling out" or withdrawing students that do not successfully complete the probation period
- Disqualification of students based on behavioral issues that fell short of expulsion at their previous school
- Charging fees for essential course materials, without giving parents a waiver option
- Failure to provide enrollment and admission information in the language spoken by the parents and students – violating the federal Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974.
In the letters, Senate Democratic
leadership stated, "It is essential that access to all public schools,
including charter schools, be maintained in accordance with relevant Arizona
statutes. As stewards of taxpayer dollars, we feel a thorough investigation
and, if necessary, prosecution will reassure Arizonans and restore trust that
the charter schools funded with their tax dollars maintain compliance with the
law and welcome any child who wants to learn."