CaliforniaEducationPage

The purpose of California Department of Education is to lead improvement of a student's achievement, with focus on closing achievement gaps. By Tinsley Cohen

payments owed to the school system by $2.5 billion. Education makes up 40% of the state budget, and is currently protected from cuts by the state Constitution under voter-passed Proposition 98 cut has angered school groups who agreed to a funding cut last year in exchange for a promise that there would be no future cut to funding. Proposition 98 or the "Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act," is the basis for education funding in California. schools were to get $2.2 billion in 2005-06 and a promise of no further drain on education funding. By Bea

The California Department of Education (CDE) oversees the state's diverse and dynamic public school system that is responsible for the education of more than seven million children and young adults in more than 9,000 schools. The CDE and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are responsible for enforcing education law and regulations; and for continuing to reform and improve public elementary school programs, secondary school programs, adult education, some preschool programs, and child care programs. The CDE's mission is to provide leadership, assistance, oversight, and resources so that every Californian has access to an education that meets world-class standards. The CDE is committed to working in partnership with local schools to improve student achievement.

The CDE's goals include:

Holding local educational agencies accountable for student achievement in all programs and for all groups of students Building local capacity to enable all students to achieve state standards Expanding and improving a system of recruiting, developing, and supporting teachers that instills excellence in every classroom, preschool through adult Providing statewide leadership that promotes effective use of technology to improve teaching and learning Increasing efficiency and effectiveness in administration of kindergarten through grade twelve education, including student record keeping, and good financial management practices Providing broader and more effective communication among the home, school, district, county, and state Establishing and fostering systems of school, home, and community resources that provide the physical, emotional, and intellectual support that each student needs to succeed Advocating for additional resources and flexibility, and providing statewide leadership that promotes good business practices, so that California schools can target their resources to assure success for all students Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department "We believe that the public school system must meet the comprehensive learning needs of each student to reach high expectations". ~CK~

Standardized Testing In 1997, the governor signed legislation that authorized the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. The law initially required testing all students in grades two through eleven in English­language arts and mathematics, grades two through eight in spelling, and grades nine through eleven in science and history­social science. By Tinsley

__**Questions to Ask the Candidates**__ 1. What are you going to do to help the school systems that need financial help?? ~CK