2025: Jim Desmond Opposed California Assembly Bill 84, Which Would Reform Virtual And Hybrid Charter Schools After A Charter Operator Defrauded The Public Of More Than $400 Million
2025: Desmond Opposed California Assembly Bill 84, Which He Said Would Effectively Eliminate Non-Classroom-Based Charter Schools. “California is once again attacking your parental rights and freedom to choose the best education for your child — and AB 84 may be the most dangerous bill yet. I’ve always supported school choice because I believe parents — not bureaucrats — should decide how their children learn. Unfortunately, California’s public school system isn’t working for everyone, and many families have turned to charter and homeschool options that better meet their kids’ needs. Now Sacramento wants to shut them all down. This 42,000-word bill is a massive overhaul of the charter school system that would effectively eliminate non-classroom-based charter schools, hurting thousands of students who cannot attend traditional school settings. It’s discriminatory against children with disabilities, learning challenges, medical conditions, and physical limitations that make standard classroom instruction unrealistic. Call your State Senator and demand they VOTE NO on AB 84.” [Jim Desmond, Facebook, 6/6/25]
Image: see original report, p. 72
[Jim Desmond, Facebook, 6/6/25]
- Desmond: “I’ve Always Supported School Choice.” “California is once again attacking your parental rights and freedom to choose the best education for your child — and AB 84 may be the most dangerous bill yet. I’ve always supported school choice because I believe parents — not bureaucrats — should decide how their children learn.” [Jim Desmond, Facebook, 6/6/25]
Non-Classroom-Based Charter Schools Were Virtual, Homeschool, And Hybrid Settings That Were Responsible For The Largest Incidents Of Fraud. “A consequence of not passing a reform bill so far means that a moratorium on new nonclassroom-based charter schools that began in 2019 will expire on Jan. 1. That means districts could once again begin approving online and independent-study charters before new accountability regulations are in place. Nonclassroom-based charter schools — virtual, homeschool, hybrids and independent studies — are responsible for the largest incidents of fraud and financial mismanagement.” [EdSource, 12/12/25]
AB 84 Would Enact Comprehensive Reform To Non-Classroom-Based Charter School Law. “In the coming days the California Assembly will vote on AB 84, a bill that would enact comprehensive reform to non-classroom-based (NCB) charter school law. It is urgent that members of the State Assembly hear directly from CFT members that we strongly support this bill. AB 84 was written in response to the A3 Education scandal, where nonprofit charter operator A3 Education defrauded the public of over $400 million. The A3 case clearly demonstrated how California’s existing system of NCB charter oversight—carried out by public authorizers, annual financial audits, and the State Board of Education through its NCB funding determination process—is inadequate. AB 84 addresses these issues and is the expert-backed solution to prevent another A3.” [California Federation of Teachers, 5/30/25]
- The California Federation Of Teachers (CFT) Supported AB 84. “In the coming days the California Assembly will vote on AB 84, a bill that would enact comprehensive reform to non-classroom-based (NCB)
charter school law. It is urgent that members of the State Assembly hear directly from CFT members that we strongly support this bill.” [California Federation of Teachers, 5/30/25]
AB 84 Was A Response To A Scandal Where A Charter Operator Defrauded The Public Of More Than $400 Million. “AB 84 was written in response to the A3 Education scandal, where nonprofit charter operator A3 Education defrauded the public of over $400 million. The A3 case clearly demonstrated how California’s existing system of NCB charter oversight—carried out by public authorizers, annual financial audits, and the State Board of Education through its NCB funding determination process—is inadequate. AB 84 addresses these issues and is the expert-backed solution to prevent another A3.” [California Federation of Teachers, 5/30/25]