November 2010 Elections Wrap Up: What do election results mean for Oakland Public Schools?
From local government to Capitol Hill, new leaders elected on November 2, 2010 could influence improvement for Oakland's students. What do these leaders have planned for our schools?
Mayor Elect Jean Quan, a former school board member, plans to strengthen volunteer recruitment, programs for disconnected youth, and primary school literacy rates.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is emphasizing school funding, neighborhood schools, charter school accountability, wraparound services and 21st Century schools.
California's Governor Jerry Brown brings a long and deep history with public schools and higher education. He plans to reform education funding, testing, teacher recruitment and training, increase local control, improve curriculum, and emphasize technology. He will have to grapple with a budget crisis and restrictive voter mandates.
Republicans regaining control of the US Congress means the No Child Left Behind (ESEA) re-authorization could be shelved, rewritten to emphasize reforms, or reworked to diminish the role of the federal government. The Race to the Top grant competition, funded with stimulus dollars, will play some role in future political deal-making.
Looking Forward: November 2012 Elections
Local elected leaders can improve the quality of our public schools. In November 2012, Oakland will elect four school board members and four City Council members in districts 1, 3, 5, and 7. To locate these districts
click here.