Getting to know the Schwarzenegger-appointed, Broad-connected, pro-charter-dominated State Board of Education
Arnold Schwarzenegger has been working overtime to expand charter schools in California. Since 2004 on their behalf, he has secured federal funding, removed school district approval obstacles, supported state bond funding, signed legislation to provide charters with tax exempt and low cost facility financing for school facilities, and removed roadblocks so charters can access millions in construction project funds (12/07/2009 press release). In addition, Schwarzenegger has insured that the California State Board of Education (SBE) is continually loaded with pro-charter members.
Contrast Schwarzenegger’s intense, and near single-minded focus on fostering the expansion of charter schools -- which serve less than 4.6% of the children or 285,617 – with his extreme neglect of the schools attended by the remaining 95.4% (5,966,394) of California’s children. EdData figures here.
The SBE sets K-12 education policy in the areas of standards, curriculum, instructional materials, assessment, and accountability. It also authorizes charter schools and has been involved with developing charter school legislation. There are 11 members on the SBE, ten of whom are appointed by the Governor, one of which is a