Overview

California’s economy is ranked sixth in the world. In order to maintain the state’s current stature, vitality and overall appeal to world-class businesses, California’s public education institutions need to produce highly educated graduates. California’s high school and college graduates must be adequately prepared to enter the professional and technical workforce.

There have been many accomplishments in education reform over the last five years. However, there is a long road to travel to reach the goal of attaining grade-level proficiency for all students in California’s public schools. Career technical education is a part of the solution, not the solution. Education assures individuals opportunity and helps California to compete in a global economy.

In November 2006, California voters approved Proposition 1D to provide public schools with the funds necessary to maintain comfortable learning environments for students.

Goals

• Foster greater business involvement to improve both teacher and student performance and administrative accountability in schools throughout California.

Major Victories

• Protected hard-won measures to ensure schools are held accountable for student acheivement in a court case upholding the high school exit exam and by securing the veto of legislation that would have undermined the effectiveness of the exam by lowering state student proficiency standards (AB 2975) .

Position

The CalChamber and business community acknowledge their roles in the education system. Helping young people develop the skills necessary to be productive citizens is an essential part of building and maintaining a strong economy; a strong economy is essential to business success and social responsibility.

Issue Summaries

Education Infrastructure
Position: The CalChamber supports investing in school infrastructure so that schools can maintain safe and comfortable learning environments for students, equip facilities to deliver the highest quality education and accommodate the current student enrollment. Education Bond Summary 

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