Pick an issue, any issue, and you’ll hear from the well-meaning throngs that theirs is a top priority for California’s long-term success. But the multitude of issues and solutions won’t bring about real, lasting change without addressing the common denominator that could make or break the Golden State: higher education....
Tony Thurmond Is the New Schools Chief. Now What?
With bucks and boots on the ground from California teachers’ unions, Bay Area Democratic Assemblyman Tony Thurmond declared victory Saturday as California’s new superintendent of public instruction, an outcome that essentially endorses the labor-backed education establishment in the state. Thurmond, who had lagged in early returns, had a margin of...
Thurmond Wins Race for Public Schools Chief
Though there are about 2 million ballots left to count, reform candidate Marshall Tuck has conceded to Tony Thurmond in the race for state superintendent of public instruction. Tuck sent this statement to his supporters: “Given it has become clear that we are not going to win this campaign, I...
Tuck Leads in Tight State Education Race
After an expensive campaign, Los Angeles schools executive Marshall Tuck is narrowly leading in his race to become the state's top public education official. With 96% of precincts counted, Tuck leads Assemblyman Tony Thurmond 51% - 49% in the superintendent of public instruction race. The race has been seen as...
First Public Poll Shows Tuck Well Ahead of Thurmond
We're in the final days before the election. And, one of the last polls shows separation among candidates for statewide offices and the U.S. Senate. The final Berkeley IGS poll indicates dominant leads in the gubernatorial, state superintendent of public instruction, and Senate races. Also, propositions to repeal the gas...
Face-Off for State Schools Chief: Tony Thurmond vs. Marshall Tuck
CALmatters dives deep into the battle to elect the next state superintendent of public instruction with a video featuring Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck. The candidates talk about their credentials for the job, their passion for education, and where they stand on the issues. The video opens with the candidates talking...
Did Tuck's Ad on Prisons vs. Schools Rile Corrections Officers?
You might not guess who is backing Assemblyman Tony Thurmond's bid to become the state superintendent of public instruction. Last month, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association contributed $500,000 to an independent expenditure committee supporting Thurmond, campaign filings show. The CCPOA since has added more muscle to its Thurmond effort, spending...
Listen to Marshall Tuck's Vision for California Schools
Marshall Tuck, a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, sat down with Louis Freedberg and John Fensterwald of EdSource to talk about his vision for California's public schools. You can hear the interview in this podcast on EdSource. In the interview, EdSource notes, Tuck "also responds to the finding in...
The Battle to Decide California’s Education Future
By many measures, the majority of California’s 6.2 million schoolchildren are failing to make the grade. Earlier this year California’s K-12 education was ranked 44th by U.S. News & World Report and 36th on Education Week’s “Quality Counts” report. These numbers are sobering for a state that once boasted of having the...
Resistance Finally Fading to Career Technical Education
Thirty years ago, vocational ed programs were struggling to attract students and political support. They were stigmatized as "throwaway" classes. Many educators and parents said that college preparatory classes would better prepare students for college and careers. That's not the case today. The label "vocational ed" has been replaced by...