​State of California Sued Over Poor Literacy Rates

CALIFORNIA -- A group of students and parents in California on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the state over poor literacy rates. The lawsuit, filed by pro bono group Public Counsel and Morrison & Foerster, claims the State Board of Education, the State Department of Education, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson have failed in providing "every child in the state access to literacy as required under the California Constitution."

The group of plaintiffs said California has three of the lowest-performing schools and 11 of the lowest performing school districts in the country. Additionally, ""children in underserved districts lack the ability to read and write because the state hasn’t taken steps to ensure that all schools are delivering literacy."

"Based on the state’s own testing standards, under-performing schools throughout California have
student bodies consistently achieving less than 10 percent, and frequently less than 5 percent,
proficiency in core subjects like reading and math," a press release by Public Counsel said.

“Public education was intended as the ‘great equalizer’ in our democracy, enabling all children
opportunity to pursue their dreams and better their circumstances. But in California it has become the
‘great unequalizer,’” said attorney Mark Rosenbaum. “Although denial of literacy is the
great American tragedy, California is singlehandedly dragging down the nation despite the hard work
and commitment of students, families and teachers."

The plaintiffs are asking the state to "meet its constitutional obligations by ensuring that all schools deliver proven literacy instruction, literacy assessments and interventions, support for teachers, and implementation of practices to promote parent involvement and learning readiness."

The suit includes non-charter and charter schools.

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