Senator Huff heads legislation to reform California's education system
In conjunction with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and key members of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Bob Huff (R - Diamond Bar) introduced legislation today that will serve as comprehensive education reform for California's K-12 school system. Senate Bill 1-5X will make Californiaone of the top competitors for the federal 'Race to the Top' education grants.
"While the current motivation for these reforms are much needed federal dollars, they are really just common sense proposals," said Senator Huff, Vice-Chair of the Senate Education Committee.
The United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan recently established a competitive state grant program to reward states that are embracing innovative education reform. Duncan has pointed to Californiamultiple times, however, for failing to establish such reforms. "California has lost its way," remarked Duncan at a speech in San Francisco.
At the heart of the Governor's comprehensive education reforms is the removal of the prohibition on the use of student performance data to determine teacher effectiveness. SB 1-5X will knock down the data firewall and permit the state to use student test scores to evaluate teachers.
"If teachers are judged on anything, it should be test scores," said Huff. "By using student test scores to evaluate our teachers, we will be able to mentor struggling teachers and reward the most motivated and talented. We want to ensure we have the best teachers possible for our kids."
"Unfortunately, and despite their continuous call for more education funding, teachers' unions have tried to put the brakes on these reforms and the new dollars they will bring to the state."
Other vital reforms have been included in the Governor's education reform agenda and SB 1-5X, includingSenator Huff's school choice legislation that will more easily allow students to transfer to any school district in the state. Huff's Open Enrollment Act (SB 266) was rolled into the education reform package.
"The true success of education is tied to parental involvement. When moms and dads actually have the ability to choose where their child receives their public education," said Huff, "Parents will be empowered."
Last week the Governor called for a special legislative session on education. SB 1-5X is the first legislation to be introduced in that session. In addition to Senator Huff, the legislation was jointly authored by Senators Romero, Wyland and Alquist.
This is directed to Senator Elaine Alquist, who represents my senate distrit and that of Santa Clara Adult Education, where I teach.
I fail to see how doing well on multiple-choice tests, which show how well a student can memorize, not think and solve relevant problems, has any real connection to a teacher's ability.
Having a neighborhood, local school, that can help create a community of learners, parents and educators, seems more healthful a solution than creating a cafeteria style of school choice.
Dartmouth Middle School, in San Jose, which has just achieved "School to Watch" status, finds itself now flooded with low-performing, ill-educated students from other districts. These students may never score high on Star, or related tests, yet they are a drag on an excellent school.
Common sense, and our own experience, tells us that excellent teachers have had unwilling, incompetent, or uninterested students, and that any good student can survive a mediocre or inexperienced teacher.
Working with what we have, with salaries commensurate with the work they must do - including extracurricular duties, intransigent parents, and having to deal with personal problems originating in their families, seems a much more rational and lasting solution to this crisis.
Respectfully,
Kenneth Bretz