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An Introduction to California Programs

In the past few years, California has taken some basic but important steps to improve its public schools by adopting a system of standards and accountability. California’s programs are based on a simple, proven plan for success in any organization: set clear goals (standards), find and train the best people, measure progress to make sure goals are met (testing), and ensure accountability for outcomes while increasing flexibility for how goals are met. The cornerstones of the improvement plan underway in our schools include…

Standards: Setting clear goals for what students should know. California has adopted clear learning standards that specify what students should know and be able to do at every grade level in the areas of Mathematics, Science, English, and Social Sciences. Learning standards ensure students are keeping up with their peers. Common standards also help to select text books, design lesson plans, and guide teacher preparation.

Teachers: Enticing the best and brightest to lead and teach in our schools. Once standards are in place, the training provided to new and continuing teachers must ensure that teachers and school leaders have the skills needed to help students succeed. CA has invested unprecedented resources to make every effort to ensure that California has the best teachers working in its classrooms.

Testing: Measuring progress to ensure students are learning. California students are now tested annually to measure how well children and schools are doing in meeting learning goals. Test results are made public so parents, educators and the general public can know how well kids and our schools are doing.

Accountability: Holding schools accountable for results while increasing flexibility for how the job gets done. California’s accountability system expects all schools to make measurable progress every year. Rewards and incentives are tied to progress and results are reported publicly every year. With such accountability in place, it can provide more flexibility from bureaucracy and over-regulation.

There is strong public support for the state’s strategy of higher standards, student testing and accountability. The public welcomes changes that set higher expectations for students and ensures that all students and schools are accountable for performance. But we must finish the job. While the cornerstones for this common sense system of standards and accountability are now in place, the harder job is to ensure that California stays the course long enough for students to benefit. California’s students must be given the tools they need to succeed in today’s workforce.

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