Big picture: California’s top education leaders painted an optimistic picture of the state’s K-14 system at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego this week, but offered few specifics on how to close learning gaps left by the pandemic.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian shared a forum to discuss the state of education in California. The two discussed the signed initiatives, although the talks leaned towards aspiration rather than execution.
What he said: Sonya Christian Dual enrollment was highlighted as a major success story for the state’s community college system. The Chancellor has advanced an ambitious goal: making dual enrollment the default for every 9th grade student in California, putting all students on a college course pathway before they finish high school.
That viewpoint is backed by real momentum. California’s community college system is expanding dual enrollment partnerships with K-12 districts and the state Vision 2030 strategic plan Each high school student is called upon to complete a minimum of 12 units of dual enrollment credit. Currently, only 6% of California students take college courses in their first year of high school.
Tony Thurmond focused on that Literacy MoonshotA plan to get all California students reading on grade level by third grade. The initiative includes funding for dyslexia screening, tutoring, and teacher training. But Thurmond acknowledged that legislative delays have slowed progress on key programs, including mandatory dyslexia testing, which was authorized under SB 114 in 2023 but has been slow to implement statewide.
Thurmond, who is running for the post of Governor of California in 2026, also voiced his support for this. California Billionaires Tax Act (PDF file) – Proposes a one-time 5% tax on individual wealth over $1 billion. If passed, some of the revenue would fund K-14 public education.
How it connects: Dual enrollment is one of the most effective tools for reducing the overall cost of college. As College Investor reports, dual enrollment courses can be free through community colleges and students who start a four-year university with dual enrollment credits are the most likely to finish. California’s effort to expand it statewide could become a model for other states that want to make college more affordable and accessible.
Bottom Line: The panel was heavy on broad goals and light on concrete plans to address learning loss from the pandemic. California students (like students across the country) are still working to recover from years of disrupted schooling.
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