Legal victory is a major win for Los Angeles' charter public school communities
LOS ANGELES, CA – A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has ruled that a policy adopted by the Los Angeles Unified School District unlawfully denies charter public school students access to hundreds of district campuses—violating their rights under Proposition 39, a California state law.
The decision comes after the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) challenged the district’s 2024 policy, which blocked the co-location of charter public schools at more than 300 LAUSD campuses designated as Community Schools, Black Student Achievement Plan schools, and Priority Schools, and at sites where co-locations “actively deter students from attending District schools.”
“This is a victory for all public school families and a critical affirmation of the rights of charter public school students across Los Angeles,” said Myrna Castrejón, President and CEO of CCSA. “We’re grateful the court recognized that LAUSD’s blatant attempt to exclude charter public school students from learning alongside traditional district school students in the communities they share violates California law.”
Proposition 39, passed by California voters in 2000, guarantees that all public school students—regardless of the type of public school they attend—have equitable access to public school facilities.
The court found that LAUSD’s policy undermined this law. The policy harms thousands of families, particularly among the historically underserved communities that charter public schools serve.
“Charter school students are public school students. They deserve equal treatment and equal opportunity to learn in safe, suitable facilities, in the communities they serve” said Keith Dell’Aquila, CCSA Vice President of Local Advocacy in Greater Los Angeles. “This illegal policy sought to discriminate against charter families and disproportionately harmed Black and Latino students in LAUSD.”
Despite efforts by CCSA and the charter public school community to collaborate with the district and improve the co-location process, LAUSD chose to adopt a sweeping ban—limiting access and restricting educational opportunity for thousands of families.
“Our legal challenge clearly demonstrated how the policy violated state law,” said Julie Umansky, CCSA General Counsel and Executive Director of the Charter Schools Legal Defense Fund. “The judge’s decision confirms what we knew to be true: the district must treat District and charter schools equally when it comes to facilities—facilities paid for by all families, regardless of which public school they choose.”
With LAUSD enrollment down nearly 50% over the past two decades, CCSA emphasized there is more than enough space to serve all public school students—including those attending charter schools—in neighborhoods where demand for high-quality education remains high.
“This policy stripped families of choice, limiting access to high-quality public school options in their communities,” Castrejón added. “There is more than enough space in LAUSD and finding creative solutions to share space and amplify the benefits of learning together, rather than build walls that divide, works in the best interest of all Angelenos. I know we can do better, and we look forward to working with LAUSD leadership to craft a better approach.”
CCSA reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of students and families, and ensuring that every child—regardless of zip code, background, or school type—has access to a fair, equitable, and excellent public education.
This is yet another legal victory for CCSA in its nearly two decades-long effort to ensure LAUSD upholds the tenets of Proposition 39. CCSA first successfully sued the District in 2007 for failing to comply with Prop. 39 by not making facility offers to all eligible charter schools.
CCSA is organizing a media roundtable next week with L.A. charter leaders, parents, and advocates to discuss the significance of the ruling, its impact on the upcoming school year, and legal next steps should LAUSD choose to appeal.
To attend, please contact:
Ana Tintocalis, CCSA Managing Director of Public Relations and Creative Services
[email protected]
916.666.2274
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About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community need for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools. Learn more.