Candidate for
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

I am a moderate Democrat dedicated to building partnerships with parents, teachers, businesses, labor and communities to better prepare California's students to succeed in a demanding global economy. I believe that investing in education, both in quality preschool and K-12 schools, is the smartest investment we can make to secure the future of our state. We have a diverse and challenging student population, and must provide the resources to ensure every student succeeds to high expectations, regardless of the challenges brought to the classroom. At the same time, I believe we should let research guide us toward ways we might be more efficient in our education spending. I am a strong advocate for high academic standards for all students and in holding schools accountable for student achievement.