Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidate Statements

(Nonpartisan Office)

As the state’s chief of public schools, provides education policy direction to local school districts, and works with the educational community to improve academic performance.
Heads the Department of Education and carries out policies set by the State Board of Education.
Serves as an ex-officio member of governing boards of the state’s higher education system.

Tony K. Thurmond

I am running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction because I believe high-quality public schools are the key to California’s future. Education saved my life, enabling me to overcome humble beginnings. I was raised by a single mother who emigrated from Panama to become a teacher. She lost her battle to cancer when I was just 6 years old—so I grew up thinking college was out of reach. But with the help of supportive teachers and a strong public education, I became student body president at my university, and went on to earn two master’s degrees. As a lifelong advocate for youth and families, I spent 12 years working in schools, and started my career running after-school programs and counseling at-risk youth. I proudly served on the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board, Richmond City Council, and now in the California State Assembly. As Superintendent, I will work to ensure all California kids have access to a high-quality neighborhood school. To accomplish that, I will: 1) Modernize our curriculum to prepare students for jobs in our fast-growing, 21st Century economy—2) Improve vocational job training education, emphasizing science, technology, engineering, arts, and math—3) Invest in our teachers by raising their wages, offering professional development, and providing teachers with affordable housing so they can afford to live in the communities where they teach—4) Prioritize critical thinking, not teaching to the test, and—5) Fight to stop Betsy DeVos’s anti-education agenda from harming California’s kids. I’m endorsed by U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, California Democratic Party, current Superintendent Tom Torlakson, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Sierra Club, Equality California, Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, teachers, nurses, firefighters, and many more.

P.O. Box 2145
Richmond, CA 94802
Tel: (510) 859-3241
E-mail: tony@tonythurmond.com
www.TonyThurmond.com
facebook.com/Tony.Thurmond

Marshall Tuck

As the son of a public school teacher, the product of public schools, and a public school parent, I believe strongly in the power of public schools. But California’s public schools need big changes to give all students the education they deserve. I’m running for State Superintendent because I’ve led public school systems that delivered real results for kids. Working with teachers and parents, we put more funding into classrooms, reduced bureaucracy, and prepared more students for college and careers. I helped create 10 new public high schools in low-income neighborhoods—and 8 of them were ranked among the top high schools in America by U.S. News & World Report. When I led the effort to turn around struggling public schools in Los Angeles, we raised graduation rates by more than 60%, and had the biggest academic improvement of any large school system in California. Our “Parent College” became a statewide model for getting parents more involved in their kids’ education. As State Superintendent, I will stand up to politicians in Sacramento and Washington, DC and do what’s best for students. My priorities will be: (1) Get more funding into local classrooms and cut bureaucracy and waste; (2) Empower teachers and parents to make more education decisions; (3) Expand career training and college prep to ensure all students are prepared to succeed in the 21st century. Read my full plan at MarshallTuck.com. Let’s give all children in California the public schools they deserve.

20 Galli Drive, Suite A
Novato, CA 94949
Tel: (657) 229-3579
E-mail: marshalltuck@marshalltuck.com
www.MarshallTuck.com
www.facebook.com/TuckforCalifornia/

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The order of the statements was determined by randomized drawing. Statements on this page were supplied by the candidates and have not been checked for accuracy. Each statement was voluntarily submitted and paid for by the candidate. Candidates who did not submit statements could otherwise be qualified to appear on the ballot.