Year-long coverage on the potential expiration of a bill which allows out-of-district students to attend school in Walnut Valley. The loss of DOC means nearly half of current Diamond Bar High School students would have to leave campus and enroll instead in their home districts.
End of District of Choice Could Change Campus
Aug. 25, 2016 — News
A major portion of the student body at Diamond Bar High School may lose their privilege to return to campus next year. Senate Bill 1432, commonly known as the District of Choice bill, has permitted parents and students freedom in choosing their educational setting for the past 22 years. This is the last academic year it will be in effect, as the bill is set to expire in July 2017.
Families Rally for Extension of Bill
Aug. 27, 2016 — News
In response to the soon-to-expire District of Choice bill (SB1432), families from school districts all over Southern California attended a rally at Maple Hill Park in Diamond Bar on Saturday to support the extension of the bill, which has been in effect for over 20 years.
Students Lose Choice of School Districts
Sept. 15, 2016 — News
This may be the last school year that 25 percent of Diamond Bar High School undergraduates will be permitted to attend school in the Walnut Valley Unified School District. After July 2017, all students living out-of-district will lose the right to receive an education at a school of their choice.
Oct. 20, 2016 — News
Assemblywoman and DBHS alumna Ling Ling Chang, who is seeking a seat in the State Senate, is working on a bill that will address reviving the District of Choice bill that died in the last legislative session. It will be presented when the next session begins on Dec. 5.
Nov. 10, 2016 — News
As the year continues on without a solution in sight for the end of District of Choice, parents and students seem to have a growing cause for concern. However, at a rally at Pantera Park on Oct. 22, Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang promised that “no one is going to be sent back to their home school.”
Newman Trumps Chang for Senate
Dec. 7, 2016 — News
Despite remaining too close to call on Election Day, the results of the November election for California state Senate have now rolled in, with Democrat Josh Newman edging out Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang for the victory.
State Sen. Newman Pushes New Bill for DOC
Dec. 19, 2016 — News
The fight to save District of Choice continues with newly elected State Sen. Josh Newman, who proposed his first bill on Dec. 5. The new bill would extend the right originally granted by the District of Choice bill championed by his predecessor, Sen. Bob Huff.
Jan. 25, 2017 — News
Josh Newman, the newly elected state senator representing Diamond Bar, expressed his strong support of District of Choice and other education issues in a recent interview with the Bull’s Eye.
April 26, 2017 — News
With just a few months left under the current law, the status of a new District of Choice bill continues to be discussed by California legislators. State Sen. Josh Newman’s pro-DOC bill was introduced in December and another bill, Assembly Bill 185, was introduced a month later.
DOC Students to Remain in WVUSD
May 17, 2017 — News
As the two bills aimed to save District of Choice wind their way through the Appropriations Committee, students currently enrolled under DOC can rest assured knowing they will stay in the district through the 2017-2018 school year regardless of whether the bills pass or not, according to a Walnut Valley Unified School District official.
Legislature, governor OK DOC extension
June 27, 2017 — News
The almost year-long struggle for the survival of California’s District of Choice program has finally amounted to success. The continuous efforts of state representatives, parents and students who pushed for DOC’s extension throughout the past school year contributed to the program’s recent five-year extension, effective until July 1, 2023.