Is California on the Right Track? Speakers debate how best to meet rising expectations for K-12 education

May 2002
This 12-page report summarizes the views of the provocative speakers at EdSource’s 25th Annual Forum, "Investing in High Expectations: The Cost of Raising K–12 Standards." It also includes insightful comments from widely respected expert panelists. The Forum took place on March 14 in Ontario and on March 15 in Santa Clara, California.

The Education Trust Director Kati Haycock clashed with New York Times columnist Richard Rothstein on how to address the impact of children’s socioeconomic backgrounds on their ability to achieve.

California Secretary for Education Kerry Mazzoni painted a positive picture of California’s march to high standards, while Marshall Smith, former undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Education, gave the state grades ranging from B to F on its education reform efforts. And Linda Darling-Hammond, Stanford University professor of education, chided the state for not doing more to support teachers, who are the key, she says, to improving student achievement.

Moderator Gerald Hayward, director of Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), also set the stage for the Forum by outlining the elements of an effective, standards-based accountability system.

Along with the differences in perspective, certain common themes emerged. According to most of speakers and panelists, the state needs to:

• Focus the use of resources;
• Allow more local flexibility, including streamlining of categorical programs;
• Funnel money to increasing the effectiveness of teachers, who, most speakers believe, have the biggest impact on student achievement.

In an EdSource opinion poll of both audiences, administrators differed sharply from teachers in their view about whether the state’s standards reforms are likely to be effective, with administrators clearly more positive.

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