Back to State of Education Address - January 22, 2008
January 22, 2008
Michael Cohen, President
Achieve, Inc.
1775 Eye Street NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Mr. Cohen:
The State of California is pleased to respond to the invitation of Achieve to join the other states participating in the American Diploma Project Network.
California is proud of its history of being one of the first states in the nation to adopt rigorous K through 12 academic content standards a decade ago. As you are aware, the Fordham Foundation has consistently ranked California’s standards as amongst the most rigorous in the country. We have also worked to align our systems and several years ago implemented the Early Assessment Program, which enables 11th grade students to take an augmented state standards test and receive an "early signal" about college readiness in English-language arts and mathematics. During the 12th grade, those students who are not "college ready" have the opportunity to receive academic assistance to complete their preparation for college.
California is committed to improving its public education system and closing both the expectations and achievement gaps. In addition to ensuring that its high school standards and assessments continue to be aligned with the knowledge and skills students need to be successful after high school, California will consider additional actions that may be needed to ensure that students are held to high expectations and achieve success in the state’s secondary and postsecondary educational institutions.
We look forward to working with Achieve and the other member states of the American Diploma Network Project in improving public education in California and ensuring that California’s students have the opportunities to prepare for their future success.
The offices of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and Secretary of Education David Long will serve as joint lead agencies for this project, working collaboratively with California’s higher education systems.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this project.
Sincerely,
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor
JACK O’CONNELL
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
ROBERT C. DYNES
President
University of California
CHARLES B. REED
Chancellor
The California State University
DIANE WOODRUFF
Interim Chancellor
California Community Colleges
JONATHAN BROWN
President
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
GREGORY W. JONES
Chairman
California Business Roundtable
GARY HOACHLANDER
President
ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career
American Diploma Project Letter (PDF; 93KB; 2pp.; 22-Jan-2008)
