East Coachella Valley parents voice school funding priorities

With California's new Local Control Funding Formula, community members in historically neglected school districts like the Eastern Coachella Valley can voice their funding priorities, and a forum this week gave them a stage to do just that.  Parents put forth a range of ideas, including using some funding initially to increase family involvement in students' education.  Others suggested stepping up language arts for Spanish-speaking kids; replacing outdated textbooks and technology; improving teacher training; and focusing on common core standards to prepare students for college. "Education is a way out of poverty for many students in this agricultural region."  Find coverage of the forum by Coachella Unincorporated.