State settles with Sacramento schools over enrollment

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(The Center Square) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement Friday with the Sacramento City Unified School District following an investigation into enrollment policies that allegedly discriminated against students. 

The settlement resolves a lawsuit alleging the district violated open enrollment and nondiscrimination laws. 

“Every student has the right to equal access to a quality public education. That starts with enrollment,” Bonta said in a press release.

In July 2024, the California Department of Justice launched an investigation into whether the Sacramento school district was complying with state enrollment laws designed to ensure equal access to public education. Bonta later concluded that the district’s open enrollment and midyear transfer policies were discriminatory and violated the California Education Code.

The investigation found that the district prioritized families based on higher socioeconomic status, creating barriers for disadvantaged students, English learners, and students with disabilities. It further determined that the district unlawfully denied or delayed enrollment for foster youth and students experiencing homelessness. 

“The District is required to ensure that all students, regardless of race, color, national origin, or disability, are treated equally in all aspects of education, including school enrollment and school transfers,” the complaint stated. 

Tara Jeane, president of the SCUSD Board of Education, said the district cooperated with the state DOJ to identify necessary changes.

“Every student, regardless of background, or ability, or the neighborhood they’re from, deserves access to the schools and programs that best serve the whole student,” Jeane said. “With this agreement, it is our hope that Sacramento City Unified's open enrollment may become a model that public school districts across California can consider.”

On Friday, the DOJ and SCUSD agreed to a five-year stipulated judgment requiring comprehensive enrollment reforms. 

The plan mandates centralized oversight and data tracking to ensure fair and transparent seat allocation, inclusive community advisory input, staff training on enrollment practices, and the rights of foster youth and students experiencing homelessness.

The settlement also provides for DOJ review of enrollment-related complaints, evaluation of early-grade admission exams for potential discrimination, and compensatory educational services for affected foster and homeless students.