North Bay Leadership Council

Education

Our schools need help. California’s students’ ability to read is ranked 49th in the country by the U.S. Department of Education.  Their ability to do math is ranked 48th and, we are second to worst in science.  Compared globally, the situation darkens further.  Of the top 35 nations, the U.S. is ranked 29th in science and 35th in math.  Your neighborhood school might be good by California standards, but that isn’t good enough in the 21st Century.
 
Given the importance of education to our global competitiveness, the economy, and lives of our children, we have to do better, and we can. Our students are competing for the jobs of the future with students from all over the world. NBLC works to return California to its former position as a leader in education, from preschool through higher education.

NLBC’s Public Policy on Education: 

Investing in what matters.  Achievement and advancement in math and science are the bedrock of the Bay Area’s innovation economy. Our nation, state and region (particularly within high-need schools) are facing a critical shortage of math and science teachers. The way that the state allocates funding (in an overly complex manner and through a myriad of restrictive categorical programs) does little to allow our public K-12 and higher education systems to adapt to changing times. Moreover, market forces must enter into the equation for recruiting and retaining talent in critical fields.

Hold districts to high standards and give them flexibility to meet those standards.  It is common practice to give districts, in the name of local control, additional resources that are quickly followed by restrictions. The state has established a standards and accountability system. Districts should be allowed to retain flexibility in meeting those standards; districts that are successful retain flexibility and districts that are not as successful receive less. The current system does not allow innovation at the district or school level.

Early child education is critical and provides the best return on investment.  We need increased access and higher quality early childhood education for at risk children; ensure that systemic education improvement discussions include preschool through higher education. NBLC supports identifying alternatives and solutions to fund and maintain early education as part of an effort to achieve a more efficient and effective state government. NBLC supports creating a foundation for a comprehensive P-16 system that will help close the achievement gap and promote Preschool to third grade (P-3) alignment to increase reading proficiency as well as the development of a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) that will promote higher quality standards high within early learning programs in California.

Access to college needs to be available and predictable.  Students and families should not have to wonder from year to year whether there will be a place for qualified applicants at state colleges and universities and what it might cost.

Skills for entering the workplace and for entering college are converging.  A high school diploma needs to convey that the graduate has mastered a specific set of skills; that, in large part, the student is prepared to enter college, university or the workforce; and that it is not the end of the individual's learning. California needs to maintain high standards and expectations, and students will rise to the occasion.  Students must be college and career ready.

Close the achievement gap for Latino and African-American students.  Latino students are quickly becoming the majority in our schools but their performance is lagging behind the other students.  We must close this gap and increase the Latino high school graduation rate and secondary education readiness and matriculation.

Make decisions based on accurate student and teacher data.  As California rightfully raises academic standards, it needs a data system that will support accountability, particularly when it comes to high school graduation and proficiency. We cannot expect to know where students are going or have gone if we do not accurately track their progress.

Encourage private-public partnerships. There is more that business and industry can do, particularly by way of internships, Algebra academies, employee reading tutors, and mentoring. NBLC regularly hears from our education partners about the importance of providing relevant and engaging opportunities that expose our educators and students to changes in technology, the workplace and career path options. This is particularly important for socio-economically disadvantaged populations.

Support for K-12 and higher education infrastructure needs to be sustainable, equitable, and should be commensurate with the cost to educate students.  We need to ensure reliable funding streams that do not unduly place the burden on one constituency. Voters in recent state and local elections have been cautious about substantial program changes (e.g., universal preschool) that tax one group or activity for a larger benefit.

Implement the Multiple Pathways to Student Success, Envisioning the New California High School Report released by the California Department of Education, authorized by AB 2648 (Bass) in 2008.

Re-establish California as the “Gold Standard” for Post-secondary Student Success and Attainment.  To ensure student success, NBLC supports the implementation of a comprehensive P-16 student data tracking system, support increased accountability for student performance outcomes and broaden access to higher education for all students, including immigrant students. NBLC will continue to advocate for and support improved funding and performance outcomes for California’s postsecondary institutions.