SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell has appointed Larry Aceves, superintendent of Franklin-McKinley School District to the newly formed California Quality Education Commission.

Last year, the state Legislature established the commission under AB 1026 (Strom-Martin) to provide state policymakers with the tools necessary to establish reasonable costs associated with schools and guidelines as to how best direct available resources to our schools. The California Department of Education is providing the primary support for the establishment of the commission and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is responsible for two commission appointments.

"I'm extremely pleased that Larry has accepted this important appointment," stated O'Connell. "His extensive experience in education, both as a classroom teacher and administrator, makes him ideally suited to the task of developing a plan with the goal of helping to ensure that all our kids can meet California's high academic performance standards."

Aceves currently heads one of the most culturally diverse school districts in California. The district serves more than 10,000 students who speak 54 languages other than English. Prior to assuming his current position, Aceves served as superintendent of the Alum Rock School District and before that, he worked as deputy superintendent of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District in Santa Cruz. He also was a principal and bilingual education teacher in San Diego. Aceves received his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and Humanities and his master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from San Diego State University.

"Larry has been involved in public education as both teacher and administrator for 30 years. His wealth of experience and knowledge makes him a great asset to this new commission," O'Connell said.