Bill Simon on Education

2004 former Republican Challenger CA Governor

Don't allow children to be trapped in failing schools

Q: Is sub-par education in big-city public schools institutionalized racism or just a sad coincidence?

A: We cannot continue to allow our children - a disproportionate amount of which are minorities - to be trapped in failing schools. I have outlined a plan that encouraged flexibility for teachers and parents, so that no child is stuck in a classroom that does not teach. The current system allows failing schools to opt out of accountability programs. That is not acceptable.

Source: Eastern Groups Publications, CA Gov. Q&A, with Raul Vasquez Nov 2, 2002

Remove charter school cap & start more charter schools

I believe that California should expand charter schools. These schools provide choice and competition within the public school system. We should ensure that funding for charters is extended beyond this fiscal year. The current number of allowable charter schools is 10 per district. That ceiling should be lifted. Source: Speech to San Jose Rotary Club Sep 4, 2002

Streamline school bureaucracy: trust parents & schools

California has 70 categorical programs that dictate schools' and districts' spending decisions. But if we are really serious about freeing our schools from a far away bureaucracy, then we have to trust parents, teachers and schools to make the right decisions. And that means cutting 51 of these 70 categorical programs down to about five. Source: Speech to San Jose Rotary Club Sep 4, 2002

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