California educational leaders in both the legislative and executive branches of State government have, over the past four years, held consistent views on how to best reform education and have taken unprecedented steps to support local schools to improve student outcomes. A new video and a new report give insights on the vision of two of the key educational leaders in California. Applied academics and career technical education will remain important components of California’s educational system.

In January, 2014, Governor Brown reappointed Michael Kirst to the President of the California State Board of Education, where he has served since 2011. In this video, Mr. Kirst talks on his recent reappointment, his thoughts on California’s education the next 4 years, Common Core State Standards, Local Control Funding Formulas and the Vergara lawsuit.  The video runs for about half an hour, and will be time well spent.

Another focus of change in education is on measures of accountability for college and career readiness.  A new research report on this topic, entitled: Accountability for College and Career Readiness: Developing a New Paradigm, recommends accountability should rest on three pillars: a focus on meaningful learning, enabled by professionally skilled and committed educators, supported by adequate and appropriate resources. The report was co-authored by Linda Darling-Hammond and builds on her book The Flat World and Education: How America’s commitment to equity will determine our future.