Our students cannot wait another generation for California to serve their educational needs. Recent test scores in California show students actually dropping in levels, instead of rising. According to the LA Times article on the recent data, “For the second year in a row, California students’ test scores have inched up so slowly that, by some estimates, it could take a generation for disadvantaged students to close the achievement gap with their peers.” This is an unacceptable disservice to our students and their families.

When questioned about the horrific test score data, the California Department of Education avoided answering and provided many excuses and not enough accountability, not the accountability that families are asking for. As the Cal Matters article on the data suggests, “The study estimated that California will have to increase school funding by nearly a third—$22 billion—and invest significantly in preschool and other early childhood programs to make a meaningful difference.”

With election season well underway, there are two candidates head to head for the Superintendent of Public Instruction seat, Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck. In his interview with the San Diego Tribune, “Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, D-Richmond, who finished second to Tuck in the June primary, seemed just as affable but not nearly as ambitious as Tuck.” Our students deserve to be first on the agenda and a Superintendent who fights for their education with ambition. There is undoubtedly a need for change, but politicians are lacking the sense of urgency to make it happen. The status quo is failing our kids, we need urgency and accountability in Sacramento. The current plan is not working for students, we need a Superintendent with expertise and a track record of improving data within schools to better serve students. We need to vote for Marshall Tuck this coming Election Day.

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Daniela Felix

Daniela is a first generation college student who is heavily involved in education in her home district, West Contra Costa Unified. After becoming a mother at a young age, Daniela’s passion for education justice only intensified and she began to fight for an equitable education for all children, regardless of background or zip code. Daniela played a key role in organizing parents with the California Charter Schools Association and is a firm believer in school choice for all families. She is currently a Lead Organizer with Students for Education Reform, organizing college students around education justice issues in her home district. She was recently accepted into Teach for America and plans to continue impacting the lives of children in her hometown of Richmond, CA as a high school social studies teacher. Daniela is a UC Berkeley senior pursuing her B.A. in Legal Studies and Education along with her 4 year old daughter and husband. Daniela is a firm believer in that every single child is capable of meeting high expectations if given the correct support. Daniela hopes to be a provider of that support.

Latest posts by Daniela Felix (see all)

• The Importance of Mid Year Data for Teachers, Students, and Families - December 18, 2019
• Las Familias Deben Participar en la Mejora de los Resultados de las Pruebas SBAC de California - December 10, 2019
• La Guia de los Aprendices de Inglés de California es un Recurso Útil para los Maestros - December 4, 2019
• California’s English Learner Roadmap Is a Helpful Resource for Teachers - December 2, 2019
• Families Need To Be Involved in Improving California’s SBAC Test Results - November 27, 2019