Connie Conway on Education

Tax dollars should follow where you send your students

"I'm in favor of legislation that has your tax dollar follow the student where you choose to send it," Conway said.

For suspension of students for willful defiance of authority

Analysis by ACLU of Northern California, Oct 20, 2014:˙Gov. Brown signed AB 420 which will eliminate the most extreme uses of harsh discipline under the category of "willful defiance." Gov. Brown's signature on AB420 represents a huge step forward for students in California. The enactment of AB 420 places our state at the front of the pack: we are leading in making meaningful advancements in civil liberties as other states turn in the opposition direction.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 24-8-8 on 8/19/14; Passed Assembly 62-16-1 on 8/21; State Rep. Connie Conway voted NO; Signed on Sep/27

Voted NO on bilingual education in public schools

• Existing law requires that all children in California public schools be taught in English.
• Public referendum Proposition 227 specifies that English learner pupils be educated through sheltered English immersion.
• This bill would remove those requirements and allow parents to choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child.
• This bill would include a new public referendum vote to replace Proposition 227.

OnTheIssues Explanation:˙In 1998, California voters passed Proposition 227, which banned bilingual education. This new law repeals Proposition 227, and hence re-institutes bilingual education. 80% of non-English-speaking in California public schools speak Spanish, but bilingual education could apply to other languages as well. (Connie Conway voted NAY).

Voted NO on progress testing instead of achievement testing

• Existing law implements a standards-based achievement test, the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program.
• This bill would delete the STAR Program, and instead establish the Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress (MAPP), for assessment of elementary & secondary pupils.
• The Legislature intends that public school accountability evolve beyond its narrow focus on pupil test scores to encompass other information about school performance, including pupil preparedness for college and career, as well as the high school graduation rates.

OnTheIssues Explanation:˙MAPP meets the new federal Common Core standards, while STAR met the previous federal No-Child-Left-Behind standards. Voting for the MAPP standards implies support of Common Core. (Connie Conway voted NAY).

Voted NO on student sports choice based on gender identity

This bill would require that a pupil be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil's records.

Legislative Outcome:Bill passed House, 46-25-8; passed Senate, 21-9-8; approved by Governor, August 12, 2013. (Connie Conway voted NAY).