The California State School Board is forcing 97 failing school districts to adopt a series of academic reforms. Five of those districts are here in San Diego County. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
San Ysidro, South Bay and Escondido elementary school districts have to adopt reforms, as does the Grossmont and Fallbrook Union high school districts.
All five are being sanctioned because they failed to satisfy the federal No Child Left Behind Act five years in a row.
They face mild sanctions compared to some other school districts in the state.
For example, Escondido, Grossmont and San Ysidro have to bring in special experts to pinpoint problems. Fallbrook has to re-evaluate its student plan for learning.
South Bay district officials have to hire a state-approved analyst who will investigate problems and develop solutions for the district to consider.
Severe penalties were handed down to other districts in California. For example, a state-appointed trustee will run a school district in Riverside County.
This is the first time the state is regulating local districts.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
