Mother sues state for cost of education

[VespaElf]

Lawyers for the California Department of Education told a Superior Court judge last month they support a mother's choice to send her genius son to UCLA, but they don't agree that the state should foot the bill.

"[Her] decision to voluntarily place her highly gifted son first in a community college and then in the university system were within her parental rights," the state claimed in a brief submitted prior to the Nov. 22 hearing. "But that voluntary set of decisions on her part did not trigger some constitutional duty for defendants."

Leila Levi's son, Levi Clancy, began his college education at age 7 at Santa Monica College. He was 13 when he entered the pre-med program at UCLA in January 2004.

The family has borne all costs associated with his schooling, which totals about $10,000 a year for tuition, transportation and books. Levi Clancy even tutors the UCLA football team to help his mother, a public school art teacher, pay the bills....................................
http://courttv.com/people/2004/1208/levi_ctv.html


Im siding with the state on this one!

 

[Jeana (DP)]

So, its not enough that she's got a happy, healthy and highly intelligent son that she can AFFORD to send to school - she thinks they've been given the short end of the stick? I think the judge should throw her lawsuit out of court, then hold her in contempt of court and sentence her to spend 200 hours visiting children at St. Judes or one of the pediatric burn units. Maybe then she'll appreciate just how truly blessed she is.

 

[golfmom]

The law reads that every child is entitled to a "free and appropriate public education" plus newer legislation adds "in the least restrictive environment." It does sound like a traditional public education wasn't appropriate for this young man. Really it's the same problem we face for special ed/resource students. If they under our laws are accomodated why not this young man?