Arizona Court Denies State Petition for Appeal in "At-Risk" Case

On April 10, 2003, Arizona's intermediate-level Court of Appeals denied the State's petition asking the court to hear an appeal in Crane Elementary School District v. State.

The seven school-district plaintiffs in Crane allege that the State's education finance system violates the State Constitution because it does not provide funding that is sufficient for the programs at-risk students need to be able to meet the State's academic standards. Last summer, the Superior Court in which the case was filed denied the State's motion to dismiss. The State did not appeal that decision until recently. In Arizona, a "special action petition" for appeal can be filed with no time limitation, but acceptance is at the discretion of the appellate court. After hearing oral arguments on April 9, the court declined to take jurisdiction.

The trial is expected to begin later this year.

Prepared April 15, 2003