The California State Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education, chaired by Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), held a hearing on Feb. 27, where State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond provided a State of Education address and discussed key education funding priorities.
Facing tough questions from lawmakers, Thurmond emphasized the state’s commitment to improving student achievement, despite ongoing budget constraints, declining enrollment, and continued racial disparities in education outcomes.
Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) joined Laird at the hearing, while committee member Sasha Renée Pérez (D-San Gabriel Valley) who represents the Altadena area, was in her district assessing wildfire damage.
Investing in Student Success
Thurmond discussed several initiatives aimed at improving student outcomes, particularly in underserved communities. He pointed to California’s universal preschool, free meal programs, and his newly launched “Cohort to Move the Needle on Test Scores,” a coalition of 250 school districts working to close achievement gaps in math and reading.
“Education saved my life,” Thurmond said, recalling his childhood struggles with poverty after losing both parents at a young age. “It’s the greatest equalizer we have, and we must protect it.”
Thurmond argued that California, despite its fiscal challenges, continues to lead the nation in investing in education, calling on lawmakers to support long-term funding for literacy coaches, dual-language immersion programs, and teacher housing to address inequalities.
Rebuilding Schools and Expanding Learning Opportunities
Thurmond also spoke about the devastating impact of natural disasters, particularly in Southern California, where wildfires have destroyed schools and displaced students. He called for accelerating school reconstruction funds through Proposition 2 to rebuild and modernize classrooms.
The Superintendent further stressed the importance of expanded learning opportunities, advocating for incentive grants to encourage schools to extend the school day and year. “We’ve seen the impact in places like Compton Unified, where extra tutoring and longer school days have led to improved reading and math scores,” he noted.
He also discussed teacher shortages and the high cost of living, which have made it difficult for educators to remain in the communities where they work. Visit www.cablackmedia.org/ to read more.