Overview
“Education is our top national priority—well ahead of health care, climate change and financial regulatory reform—and government and business policies need to reflect that. If we don’t address this, we endanger our children, economy, businesses and national security.”
This is not a statement from the National Education Association or a coalition of urban mayors. It is a recommendation from a council of CEOs convened by the Wall Street Journal in the fall of 2009. And it also accurately reflects the stake that California business leaders place on education for the state’s economy and future. Education
Goals
- Foster greater business involvement to improve both teacher and student performance and administrative accountability in schools throughout California.
Major Victories
- Promoted Student Preparation for Workplace. Advocated passage of legislation in 2010 that will help increase the number of students who go on to obtain a four-year degree by requiring California Community Colleges to offer an associate’s degree for transfer (SB 1440); and bills putting California in the best position to meet requirements for federal grants for education (SBX5 4, SBX5 1).
- Supported Rigorous Education Standards. Joined former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other business organizations in arguing in favor of the Algebra I test requirement for eighth graders, the highest mathematics education standard in the nation. Adoption of the standard by the state education board in 2008 will maintain the state’s competitiveness and appeal to world-class businesses with high-wage jobs.
- Protected hard-won measures to ensure schools are held accountable for student achievement 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
For California employers, education reform is an urgent priority that should be undertaken no matter the state’s fiscal situation. Despite the financial difficulties facing the state, the CalChamber will continue to advocate for education reform across a broad range of issues, working with legislators and education leaders to:
- Defend and extend current accountability and assessment systems across all grade levels.
- Better align workforce and college readiness.
- Define “teacher quality” as the ability to improve and maintain student academic achievement.
- Improve fiscal transparency and efficiency.
- Ensure career technical education is high quality and aligned with academic standards.
- Maintain a long-term financial and policy commitment to higher education.
- Promote state and private investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
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