EDUCATION POLICY Overview

Our schools need our help. California’s students’ ability to read is ranked 49th in the country by the U.S. Department of Education.  Their ability to do math is ranked 48th and, we are second to worst in science.  Compared globally, the situation darkens further.  Of the top 35 nations, the U.S. is ranked 29th in science and 35th in math.  Your neighborhood school might be good by California standards, but that isn’t good enough in the 21st Century.
 
Given the importance of education to our global competitiveness, the economy, and lives of our children, we have to do better, and we can. Our students are competing for the jobs of the future with students from all over the world. The Bay Area Council works to return California to its former position as a leader in education, from preschool through higher education.

Recent Accomplishments

• Co-sponsored and passed SB 1357 (Steinberg) to establish a data system process for an early warning system of student failure or dropout.

• Led and passed SB 1381 (Simitian) to raise kindergarten entry age to five with transitional schooling for eligible four year olds.

• Helped pass the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act allowing for a transfer specific degree from Community College to confer eligibility for transfer into a four year institution as a third year student.

• Led discussions on how to incentivize Community Colleges to increase course completion rates. Discussions ultimately led to SB 1143, which passed successfully and requires a taskforce and recommendations by 2012.

• Bay Area Council VP of Education named to Transition Team for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson.

Priorities

• The Bay Area Council Education Committee advocates for systemic improvements in:

• School finance and funding (preschool through higher education)

• Flexibility and efficiency with resources

• Curriculum and assessment

• Accountability and data (with fiscal and student outcome transparency)

• Educator evaluation, professional development, and support

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education

• Support and enhance the best practices work of successful Superintendents around the state and nation that are making significant progress in improving education outcomes.

• Push for increased access and higher quality early childhood education for at risk children; ensure that systemic education improvement discussions include preschool through higher education.