Meet the Candidates: California Superintendent of Schools
By Rupa Dev
New America Media
Given the mess California schools are in, what are your top three priorities as state superintendent of public instruction?—Rupa Dev, New America Media
Tom Torlakson:
Stabilizing the budget: The legislature and governor have abandoned education as the top priority it once was. About $11 billion is owed to schools, and we need to return money back.
Accountability: We need to bring school boards, school administrations, teachers, and parents together to create a better system of measuring school success. For example, if a teacher is identified as not effective, can mentoring and professional development improve the teacher? If not, how do we hold the school accountable to move that teacher out of the profession?