Long before the pandemic, California’s public education system faced deep and persistent problems.
Most students failed to meet the state’s standards in math, English language arts and science. California consistently ranked near the bottom of national standardized tests. And troubling achievement gaps meant low-income Black and Latino students in particular were left behind. Then the pandemic happened. It is obvious the pre-existing problems have been reinforced and teachers unions are stronger than ever.
Current State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond generally preferred to work behind the scenes throughout the pandemic, including working to secure electronic equipment for students. However, as CalMatters reported, he kept such a low profile that he wasn’t even “in the room” when school reopenings were hammered out.
In an interview with our editorial board, Thurmond struck us as a straight shooter. He noted his frustrations with a recent teacher strike in Sacramento, told us about his ongoing support for changes to Proposition 13 to raise tax revenues and noted that while he supports charter schools, he also stands by new regulations over them. While we think Thurmond is well-intentioned, the education system needs a more critical eye.
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Though there are many challengers in this race, we think Lance Christensen, vice president of education policy and government relations at the California Policy Center, stands out. Christensen directly calls out the pernicious influence of teachers unions over education policy. “I support teachers and firmly oppose teachers’ unions,” he told us. “There are better ways to protect teachers in our schools without using students as human shields or political pawns.”
Christensen can be counted on to use the bully pulpit to drive home the point that the education system must be centered on the interests of students first and foremost. Policywise, he supports ceding as much authority to local districts as possible, wants to create a chief parent advocate position in his office and vows to conduct “Kids First” audits of the state department of education and the state’s education budget. That’s a start.
We endorse him.