A Blueprint For Great Schools
Recognizing that California must plan for the future, State Superintendent Tom Torlakson brought together 59 leaders from across California—teachers, parents, community, labor and business leaders—to share their thinking about education in the state. The resulting report, A Blueprint for Great Schools, provides vision and direction for our education system, including a focus on 21st Century learning, meeting the needs of the whole child, and rebuilding the ranks of California’s teachers with resources and respect.
California Education Technology Blueprint
The latest information about planning for education technology use in schools.
Career Readiness Campaign
Through his California Career Readiness Initiative, SSPI Tom Torlakson has directed the California Department of Education to proceed with 17 key objectives to support, sustain, and strengthen Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the State. His Initiative builds upon goals outlined in A Blueprint For Great Schools.
Civic Learning Award For California Public High Schools
Co-Sponsored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakuaye. We recognize and value the important role of public schools in preparing students for participation in our democracy, and have begun a partnership to support civic education in California. It is therefore with great pleasure that we invite you to apply for the new Civic Learning Award for public high schools. The awards are designed to both celebrate successful efforts to engage students in civic learning and to identify successful models that can be replicated in other schools.
Core Reforms Engaging Arts to Educate (CREATE)
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has partnered with a broad-based statewide coalition of agencies and organizational partners on an education reform movement, Core Reforms Engaging Arts to Educate (CREATE) CA, that views arts education as an essential part of the solution to the problems facing California schools.
Educator Excellence Task Force
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has appointed an Educator Excellence Task Force to focus on the Educator Quality element of A Blueprint for Great Schools (released in August 2011) and designed to strengthen California’s teacher corps.
Family Engagement Framework
(PDF; 2MB)
On April 10, 2012, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson
unveiled a new publication designed to help school districts engage families and communities in their children's educations.
International Visitors and Official Delegations
Information for official international delegations of education, policy, and government professionals interested in visiting the Department of Education in Sacramento, California.
School Financial Emergency
On January 6, 2011, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson declared a state of financial emergency in California’s schools. He launched a department-wide review and urged Californians to come to the aid of schools across the state.
STEM Task Force
A volunteer group appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to explore the status of STEM (Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics) education in curriculum, instructional practices, professional learning, student testing, existing resources, and community and business partnerships.
Team California for Healthy Kids
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has initiated the Team California for Healthy Kids campaign to promote healthy eating and physical activity throughout the day, every day, in schools, before and after school programs, child care programs, and communities. The campaign will focus on making healthy choices the easy choices.
Schools of the Future Initiative (PDF; 1MB)
This statewide group—including education, design, environmental, financial, labor, and construction leaders—created recommendations to Superintendent Torlakson designed to make it easier for schools to build energy efficiency into every project, remove regulatory barriers, and identify potential funding sources. The team will also make recommendations about the California Department of Education's role in the process, Including identifying best practices and providing technical assistance to California's 1,042 school districts.
United States Senate Youth Program
Annual scholarship competition administered by the California Department of Education.
National Youth Science Camp
A residential science education program that honors and challenges two graduating high school students from each state. The NYSC is offered at no cost to participants. All educational and recreational programming, as well as meals, lodging, and round-trip air passage on scheduled airlines are provided free of charge to the delegates.
Financial Literacy
The State Superintendent highlights supplemental resources to help parents, students, and educators ensure that California's next generation of consumers are financially responsible.
Appointments
Appointment vacancies, applications, and organizations represented by the California Department of Education.
