CSBA Officials Offer Early Thoughts on Education Reports Due Out Next Week

WEST SACRAMENTO – CSBA’s President, Dr. Kathy Kinley, and Executive Director Scott P. Plotkin issued the following statements regarding next week’s release of 23 education reports that were requested by Governor Schwarzenegger’s Committee on Education Excellence, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez.

“There’s been a lot of speculation surrounding these studies, and we’re all anxiously awaiting next week’s findings,” said Dr. Kathy Kinley, CSBA President and a member of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District Board of Education in San Bernardino County. “Education in California has long been the victim of inadequate funding, and we’re confident that these studies will validate that reality. CSBA’s conversations with educators, business leaders and policy makers during the past year have identified a common ground that represents an opportunity for both investment and reform in our schools. It is our hope that these studies will provide the momentum needed to turn this opportunity into action.”

“I can honestly say that these studies are unique and I applaud the effort by our policymakers in calling for them,” said Scott P. Plotkin, Executive Director of CSBA. “However, findings alone will not do the trick. After these reports are released it’s critical that the governor, the legislature and other state leaders come together around a set of recommendations that will achieve the lofty goals that all parties have for California’s schools.”