CALIFORNIA P-16 COUNCIL
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Holiday Inn Sacramento, California

Superintendent O’Connell welcomed the P-16 Council members and stated the Council’s charge was to examine ways to improve student achievement at all levels and link preschool, elementary, middle, high school, and higher education to create a comprehensive, integrated system of student learning. The Council’s goals are to develop strategies and make recommendations on ways to:

1. Improve student achievement at all levels and eliminate the achievement gap.
2. Link all education levels, preschool, elementary, middle, high school, and higher education, to create a comprehensive, seamless system of student learning.
3. Ensure that all students have access to caring and qualified teachers.
4. Increase public awareness of the link between an educated citizenry and a healthy economy.

Superintendent O’Connell requested that the Council focus their attention first on improving student achievement in high schools.

Superintendent O’Connell clarified the different roles of the P-16 Council and the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Education Excellence. The P-16 Council will focus on student achievement and the goals listed above. The Governor’s Advisory Committee will focus on the distribution and adequacy of education funding; the functioning and effectiveness of governance structures; teacher recruitment and training; and the preparation and retention of school administrators. The efforts of the two groups should be complementary.

Comments by Dr. Barry Munitz, Chair of the California P-16 Council

Dr. Munitz acknowledged that it was essential for the Council members to draw on their individual backgrounds, however he requested that the Council work collectively on the issues. Council members’ loyalty was to the State of California and the goal was not to represent any single special interest group.

Introductions of California P-16 Council Members

The members of the Council introduced themselves to the group.

Meeting Logistics

• P-16 Council Meetings - The Council will meet about four times a year. Future meeting dates and locations will be determined soon. Meeting locations will be rotated throughout the state.
• Subcommittee Meetings - In addition to Council meetings, the Council members will work in subcommittee groups. The subcommittees will arrange their individual meeting times and venues. Subcommittee topics, members, group configuration, etc. will be determined at the next meeting.
• Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act – All meetings will follow the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act requirements. All Council and subcommittee meetings are open to the public.
• Ethics Orientation for State Officials – An ethics orientation is available for anyone who is interested. Please contact Sue Stickel for more information.

Overview of the California P-16 Council and Interface with Regional P-16 Councils

The California P-16 Council is an ongoing recommending body to the State Superintendent. There will be a terming process for the Council members.

An additional goal of Superintendent O’Connell’s P-16 initiative is to establish a P-16 Network. The P-16 Network will provide a two-way communication between the Statewide P-16 Council and each of the Regional P-16 Councils throughout the state.

The Landscape of Public Education in California, Preschool through University

Ms. Stickel briefly discussed each of the reports and items that were in the P-16 Council’s portfolio (See reference materials list). Dr. Munitz then facilitated a large group discussion where the members articulated issues and concerns that they would like to address in future meetings.

Approved by P-16 Council members on July 20, 2005

Summary Meeting Notes, May 17, 2005 (PDF; 51KB: 2pp.)

California Department of Education
1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

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