Editorials
The State Superintendent often shares his views with the news media through editorials. This agency also likes to let you know what writers say about education in the state.
- If reporters would like more information about about these editorials, please use the Reporter Request Form to contact the Communications Division.
- The Newsroom page provides a more detailed overview of services provided by the Communications Division.
- The links and information below were developed for reporters and others involved in education.
2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2017 | 2018
Year 2018
This Is Why California Needs to Expand Bilingual Education [http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/soapbox/article216851715.html] 
The Sacramento Bee — August 20, 2018
Teachers Need Gun Control, not Guns. And Kids Need to March for their Lives [http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/california-forum/article203844929.html#storylink=cpy]
The Sacramento Bee — March 8, 2018
Year 2017
New Funding System Making a Difference for California Schools [http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/sd-utbg-california-schools-funding-20171006-story.html]
San Diego Tribune
— October 6, 2017
Tell Trump to Leave the Kids Alone [http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/soapbox/article166477092.html]
The Sacramento Bee — August 10, 2017
Year 2015
Inspiring and Developing Future Citizens and Leaders [http://www.powerofdemocracy.org/blog/blog/inspiring-and-developing-future-citizens-and-leaders/]
Power of Democracy — August 26, 2015
Grade 11 Tests Assess College Readiness, in Addition to Progress on Standards: Tom Torlakson [http://www.dailynews.com/opinion/20150512/grade-11-tests-assess-college-readiness-in-addition-to-progress-on-standards-tom-torlakson]
Los Angeles Daily News — May 12, 2015
New Tests Focus on What our Students Really Need to Learn [http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/soapbox/article12911246.html]
The Sacramento Bee — March 9, 2015
Year 2014
Tom Torlakson: State Superintendent Finds Local Control Leads to New Optimism in Schools [http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/12/19/4293903/tom-torlakson-state-superintendent.html#storylink=cpy]
The Fresno Bee — December 19, 2014
Torlakson and Pletka: Technology in the Classroom Is the Pen and Paper of our Time [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/-632815--.html]
Orange County Register —
August 26, 2014
In Defense of Common Core:
What Matters Most Is Whether the New Curriculum Standards Are an Improvement. They Are. [http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/topofthetimes/opinion/la-ed-common-core-one-20140313,0,1799302.story#ixzz2wKfTiWs2]
Los Angeles Times — March 13, 2014
Common Core Learning Curve:
Schools Need the Time to Build Robust New Teaching Methods with All the Right Supports in Place. [http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-common-core-two-20140314,0,919887.story#ixzz2wKfxlYr0]
Los Angeles Times — March 14, 2014
Year 2013
Tom Torlakson: A 21st Century Education [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/technology-593369-globalization-changing.html]
Orange County Register — December 14, 2013
Test State's Students with Tools of Past or Future? [http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Test-state-s-students-with-tools-of-past-or-4830968.php]
San Francisco Chronicle — September 20, 2013
Bill Would Prevent Double Testing and Double Frustration for Students, Teachers [http://www.edsource.org/today/2013/billl-would-prevent-double-testing-and-double-frustration-for-students-teachers/39345]
Ed Source — September 23, 2013
Viewpoints: We Need More Civic Learning to Keep our Republic
The Sacramento Bee — September 19, 2013
Mercury News Editorial: Forgoing Standardized Tests for One Year a Reasonable Tradeoff to Ensure Better Common Core Implementation [http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_24089810/mercury-news-editorial-forgoing-standardized-tests-one-year?source=rss]
San Jose Mercury News — September 13, 2013
California Is Right; Duncan Is Wrong [http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/john_wilson_unleashed/2013/09/california_is_right_duncan_is_wrong.html]
Education Week — September 16, 2013
New Common Core Standards are Right for California [http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/New-Common-Core-standards-are-right-for-California-4739733.php]
San Francisco Chronicle — August 18, 2013
Shifting Gears: Educators Moving to the Common Core [http://napavalleyregister.com/news/opinion/mailbag/shifting-gears-educators-moving-to-the-common-core/article_0868d0f2-e2a0-11e2-aa19-0019bb2963f4.html]
Napa Valley Register — July 1, 2013
Contra Costa Times Editorial: Myths Fueling Opposition to Common Core [http://www.contracostatimes.com/editorial/ci_23513768/contra-costa-times-editorial-myths-fueling-opposition-common]
Contra Costa Times — June 21, 2013
Resist Urge to Delay Common Core Testing [
The Sacramento Bee — May 5, 2013
Year 2012
Letters to the Editor, May 26 [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/26/EDKM1ON8RG.DTL]
San Francisco Chronicle — May 26, 2012
Year 2011
Contra Costa Times your Turn: Times Editorial was Wrong about State's Education Moves
Contra Costa Times — December 16, 2011
Bill Would Give Schools a Better Scorecard
The Sacramento Bee — July 6, 2011
Parent Empowerment Law
February 28, 2011
Put Science at Center of Kids' Education
The Sacramento Bee — February 18, 2011