Group Has Standing To Challenge California Textbook Decision

In California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials v. California Department of Education, CIV. S-06-532 FCD KJM (ED CA, Aug. 11, 2006). a California federal district court held that a non-profit organization formed to promote accurate portrayal of Hinduism in California's public schools has standing to pursue claims that California violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments in its 2005 revisions of its History-Social Science textbooks. The court permitted plaintiffs to proceed with their claim for injunctive relief against members of the State Board of Education. However the 11th Amendment bars their suit against state agencies themselves. CAPEEM's Aug. 11 press release give further information on the decision, as does an article in today's India Post. Another article in today's India Post gives background on the litigation. The review process in California has been contentious, and has led to at least one other lawsuit that is pending in state court.