Court Cases Education

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – In the first case of its kind filed in the State, MALDEF today filed a lawsuit, Louise Martinez v State of New Mexico, seeking to establish education as a fundamental right and to ensure that New Mexico’s at-risk children are provided a sufficient education as required under the New Mexico Constitution. The suit, separate from one filed weeks ago that centered on funding, was brought on behalf of several frustrated parents and public school children from around the state, including Española, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Zuni, Magdalena, Las Cruces and Gadsden.

AUSTIN, TX – Today at 2 pm CST, MALDEF will present closing argument before the Travis County District Court in Austin, showing that the Texas public school finance system remains inequitable and inadequate. Last year, Travis County District Court Judge John K. Dietz held that the system was arbitrary, inequitable and inadequate under the Texas Constitution, citing gross inequities for property-poor school districts and failures of the system for low income and English Language Learner (ELL) children.

AUSTIN, TX – On Tuesday, January 21, 2014, MALDEF will return to court to demonstrate that the Texas public school finance system remains inequitable and inadequate. In a MALDEF victory for Texas children early last year, Travis County District Court Judge John K. Dietz held that the system was arbitrary, inequitable and inadequate under the Texas Constitution, detailing gross inequities for property-poor school districts and failures of the system for low income and English Language Learner (ELL) children. Last June, before issuing his final judgment, Judge Dietz decided to reopen the evidence and hold a supplementary hearing to examine the effect of legislative changes to the state’s educational system that were made after his initial ruling.

Illinois School District U-46 Discriminated Against Latino Students in Gifted Program

ELL and low-income students will remain hostage to an arbitrary and irrational funding system for Colorado schools

Court Orders Tucson School District To Reinstate Culturally Relevant Curriculum That Reflects The History, Culture and Experiences of Mexican Americans

Court Holds The State’s Current System Unconstitutional; Ruling Details Gross Inequities and Failures of the System for Low Income and English Language Learner Children

MALDEF Seeking Equal Funding for All Texas Students, Including Low Income and English Language Learner Children

Law and Policy Conversations across the Disciplines

Court Preserves Possible Use of Ethnic Studies as a Means to Remedy Ongoing Discrimination in 38-Year Old Case

The next phase of trial against school district focuses on quality and availability of critical programs

Educators, Parents and Community Leaders fully support first statewide adequacy lawsuit filed by MALDEF seeking fair share of funding for all Texas schools