Personalized learning offers an alternative to students who don't thrive in traditional classroom settings. These public schools need the same protections against the financial disruptions of pandemic-related enrollment declines as other California schools.
Rice is founder/director of the Association of Personalized Learning Schools and Services. He lives in Penn Valley.
The pandemic confirmed that students learn differently and need different learning models and programs in order to succeed. It also revealed the need for greater flexibility in educational choices. For some students, the lack of in-person learning was not only detrimental to their academic success, it also took a huge toll on their social and emotional well-being. On the other hand, some families discovered that their child is better suited for a non-traditional public school experience.
But Assembly Bill 1316 by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell, D-Long Beach, would unjustifiably take parents out of the decision-making process and push the educational system back to a “one size fits all” structure that has resulted in many students being left behind. AB 1316 would discriminate against and punish students at nonclassroom-based public charter schools by reducing