Panel Charged With Improving Links Among All Segments of Education

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the appointment of 44 members from throughout the state to the newly established Superintendent's California P-16 Council. The Council has been charged with the development of strategies to better coordinate, integrate, and improve education for California students from preschool through college. O'Connell named Dr. Barry Munitz, president and chief executive officer of The J. Paul Getty Trust and former chancellor of the California State University, to chair the Council. See the Attachment below.

"Different segments of California 's education system have been working in isolation for too long," said O'Connell. "We can better help our students meet the challenge of high standards and high expectations if the entire system is better coordinated. I have asked this impressive group of education leaders and experts to find ways to break down traditional barriers and work toward building a seamless education system that better serves all California students."

O'Connell first announced the establishment of the P-16 Council last December. The Council has been charged with examining ways to: (1.) improve student achievement at all levels and eliminate the achievement gap; (2.) link all education levels, from preschool, elementary, middle, high school, and through higher education, to create a comprehensive, seamless system of student learning; (3.) ensure all students have access to caring and qualified teachers; and (4.) increase public awareness of the link between an educated citizenry and a healthy economy.

The members of the Council represent a wide range of experts throughout California, including teachers, administrators, parents, business leaders, students, and academics. In addition, several of the statewide Council members serve on regional councils as well.

"I am honored to accept this extraordinary responsibility," said Dr. Munitz. "I look forward to working with other members of the Council to address the complex challenges that face students as we help prepare them for the real world. This is not going to be an easy task. It will take time and enormous energy to make a candid analysis of the economic, academic, and political realities of where education stands now in California . President Ted Mitchell of Occidental College, who has just been named the chair of Governor Schwarzenegger's new Advisory Committee on Education Excellence to focus on key K-12 issues, has been a close friend and superb colleague for many years, and we have been talking already about the most effective strategies for keeping these two groups closely aligned."

The P-16 Council will first convene May 17 and immediately tackle such issues as O'Connell's call to add rigor and relevance to our state's high schools and better prepare students for careers or college. The Council will also work closely with the Governor's Advisory Committee on Education Excellence to ensure all segments of California government are working toward building educational excellence.

"This Council will help the state better meet the needs of our students and improve their academic achievement, which in turn will provide California's business sector with a better skilled work force to compete in today's global economy," said O'Connell.

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Attachment

* As of July 11, 2005, Sandy Clifton-Bacon is now the Director of Curriculum with the Beverly Hills Unified School District.