Jimmy Gomez on Education

Public college education should be debt free

Vouchers take resources out of public education

Allow 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. (Jimmy Gomez voted YEA).

Replace school achievement testing with progress 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. (Jimmy Gomez voted YES).

Allow 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.

Status:Bill passed House, 46-25-8; passed Senate, 21-9-8; approved by Governor, August˙12,˙2013. (Jimmy Gomez voted YEA).

PVS:Federal education standards in all states.

Project Vote Smart inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Education: Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?' PVS self-description: "The Political Courage Test provides voters with positions on key issues. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."