Education in the Courts: Vergara v. California

On March 4, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu rejected a motion to dismiss the Vergara v. California case and continue the state’s education trial where nine students are challenging the laws over teacher job protection. The suit, filed on behalf of Beatriz Vergara, a Los Angeles high school student, and eight other public school students, claims that the law protects poor-performing teachers assigned to working with low-income, minority children. The trial has resumed and will likely last for several months. Dean James Ryan answered some questions about the case and its relevance to education today.