Release: #03-59
October 3, 2003
October 3, 2003
O'Connell Names Oakland Education Advocate
to California Quality Education Commission
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell has appointed attorney Russlynn Ali of Oakland to the newly formed California Quality Education Commission.
"I'm extremely pleased that Russlynn has accepted this important appointment," said O'Connell. "Her extensive experience in law, with a distinguished background in education and child advocacy, makes her ideally suited for the work charged to this commission."
Before taking her current position as Executive Director of the Education Trust West, Ali worked for the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) where she served as the President's liaison for CDF's "The Act to Leave No Child Behind" campaign. Prior to joining CDF, Ali worked as the Assistant Director of Policy and Research for the Broad Foundation in Los Angeles. She worked as Of Council to the civil rights law firm English, Munger & Rice and practiced law with two Los Angeles-based law firms: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton and Bird, Marella, Boxer & Wolpert.
Ali received her doctor of jurisprudence from the Northwestern University School of Law after completing her bachelor's degree at the American University. She also attended Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Before embarking on her career in law, Ali was a teacher.
Last year, the state Legislature established the commission under AB 2217 (Strom-Martin), further defined under SB 712 (Alpert), 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.
Russlynn Ali is O'Connell's second appointment to the Quality Education Commission. He also has appointed Larry Aceves, superintendent of the Franklin-McKinley School District in San Jose.
"I'm extremely pleased that Russlynn has accepted this important appointment," said O'Connell. "Her extensive experience in law, with a distinguished background in education and child advocacy, makes her ideally suited for the work charged to this commission."
Before taking her current position as Executive Director of the Education Trust West, Ali worked for the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) where she served as the President's liaison for CDF's "The Act to Leave No Child Behind" campaign. Prior to joining CDF, Ali worked as the Assistant Director of Policy and Research for the Broad Foundation in Los Angeles. She worked as Of Council to the civil rights law firm English, Munger & Rice and practiced law with two Los Angeles-based law firms: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton and Bird, Marella, Boxer & Wolpert.
Ali received her doctor of jurisprudence from the Northwestern University School of Law after completing her bachelor's degree at the American University. She also attended Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Before embarking on her career in law, Ali was a teacher.
Last year, the state Legislature established the commission under AB 2217 (Strom-Martin), further defined under SB 712 (Alpert), 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.
Russlynn Ali is O'Connell's second appointment to the Quality Education Commission. He also has appointed Larry Aceves, superintendent of the Franklin-McKinley School District in San Jose.
