Responds to eliminating education secretary position

The following statement from Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Subcommittee on Educational Governance and Accountability, is in response to the budget conference committee proposal to eliminate the Office of the Secretary of Education:

"Given the magnitude of the budget crisis and the devastating cuts to public education, it is imperative that we consider all possible cuts to state agencies before further cuts to the classroom.  But we also must stay focused on how to achieve the structural reforms that will help all students succeed."

"The proposed change to the Office of the Secretary of Education underscores the urgency of the work of the Subcommittee on Educational Governance and Accountability, which was formed in April to consider recommended changes to the roles and functions of the Secretary of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and State Board of Education.   This Subcommittee will hold a hearing in July to review governance recommendations made in 2007 by the Governor's Committee on Education Excellence and in 2002 by the Legislature's "California Master Plan for Education."

"These reports recommend comprehensive changes to give the Secretary of Education, on behalf of the Governor, primary authority over operations of the public education system, give the Superintendent of Public Instruction responsibility over all aspects of accountability for public education other than fiscal accountability, and modify the authority of the State Board of Education."

"We must act expeditiously to cut costs, but we must not confuse short-term cost-saving measures with real changes to our governance structure - changes that will make education officials truly accountable for ensuring that every child has access to a quality education."