SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement in response to the defeat of Propositions 74 and 76:

"I believe that people on both sides of this election wanted to do what they believed was in the best interest of the students of California. Unfortunately, one of the unintended consequences of this election was that it divided us when we in fact share a common interest — improving education for all students.

"We all want to close the achievement gap in California's schools. We all want to make sure that every student in every classroom has a competent, dedicated teacher. We all want to work to improve our most struggling schools.  And we all want to make sure that all students are prepared with the high-level skills they will need to compete in the demanding global economy of the 21st century.

"I do believe that with the defeat of Proposition 76 the people of California have once again sent a clear message that they want to invest in public education. By voting no on Proposition 74, Californians also recognized the critical need to attract the best and brightest in our society to the teaching profession.

"But I think the most profound message of this election is for those of us in Sacramento to put partisanship aside and come together to find cooperative ways to meet the great challenges in California's public schools. While test results show us that our schools are making progress, we know that we still face a huge and complicated task in closing the achievement gap and truly preparing young people with the high-level skills they will need to compete in the complex global economy of the 21st century.

"I look forward to working with the Governor, Education Secretary Alan Bersin, the Legislature, and the Board of Education to build coalitions that will work productively in the best interests of all of California's students."