Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/11437
Q&A: Tom Torlakson CALIFORNIA EDUCATOR: Why are you the best candidate for state superinten- dent of public instruction? TOM TORLAKSON: I am running for state superintendent of public instruc- tion to fight for our kids. I’m a sec- ond-generation teacher who wants to continue to apply my experience as a science teacher and high school coach to restore our public schools, and the funding they receive, to the top ranks in the nation. What do you think is the greatest challenge facing California schools? Our failure to properly fund and invest in our schools. It is a dis- grace that California ranks 47th in the nation in per-pupil spend- ing. I have opposed the recent rounds of education funding cuts because I know they will impact today’s students for a lifetime. There must be no more cuts to public education. What should we be doing in California to bring our schools up to the national average in funding? Getting to the national average in the next four or five years is a good start, but it should not be our final goal. I will fight to bring California back into the ranks of the top five states. Proposition 98 is supposed to be the floor, not the ceiling, for education fund- ing. We must expand and strengthen the Proposition 98 guarantees, including earlier pay- back of the billions taken from schools during bad budget years. I also want to close corporate tax loopholes and work to develop ways to bring new revenue into state and local education budgets. We need majority-vote state bud- gets, majority-vote approval of school parcel taxes, and we must increase revenues to invest in our public schools. What do you think the role of charter schools should be in California? Do you think they should be held to the same standards as public schools? Charter schools can serve an im- portant role in our educational system, and responsible ones can encourage innovative instruction. Unfortunately, the charter schools movement has fought efforts to hold them accountable in the same way public schools are held ac- countable. That’s unacceptable. I have supported and authored legis- lation to improve charter school ac- countability and transparency. I will continue to do so. What is the role of community colleges in California? I know from experience — having attended and now teaching at a community college — how impor- tant community college access is to many students. We need to op- pose fee increases and make sure our community colleges have the funding required to serve every eligible California student. So many focus on what California schools are doing wrong. What are we doing right? As I have traveled around the state visiting schools, I have been heart- ened by the successes I have seen continue despite the horrible educa- tion funding cuts. I see teachers and the classified school services team doing valiant work against all odds. While class sizes are rising, while we rank at or near the bottom of the nation in terms of the number of counselors, librarians, and teachers available per student, while budgets are getting slashed — test scores are rising. Teachers are guiding students to success despite all of the great hur- dles put in front of them. I see caring and excellent professional work in progress at every school I visit. DINA MARTIN To read our extended interview with Tom Torlakson, please visit us online at www.cta.org/Torlakson. CTA’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE JUNE 8 PRIMARY INSURANCE COMMISSIONER Dave Jones SECRETARY OF STATE Debra Bowen CONTROLLER John Chiang TREASURER Bill Lockyer elections. Only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election — regardless of political party. So voters in some areas of the state will be choosing between two Democrats or two Republicans. • Abolishes the legal requirement that lets you know what party the candidates on the ballot represent. ers that want to elect candidates who won’t stand up to them or fight for education funding and positive changes in our schools. • 34 California Educator | MAY 2010 • VOTE NO ON PROP. 14 Prohibits write-in candidates in general Reduces voter choice and is backed by Gov. Schwarzenegger and his corporate support- Edmund G. Brown Jr. GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Gavin Newsom SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Tom Torlakson BOARD OF EQUALIZATION #1 Betty Yee BOARD OF EQUALIZATION #2 Chris Parker BOARD OF EQUALIZATION #4 Jerome Horton ! VOTER GUIDE