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Delaine Eastin on Education
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In 1965, California led American education; we can do better
It is clear that today we can do better. In K-12 education in 1965 we were tied with New York, at 5th of the 50 states in per pupil spending, with student outcomes to match. College was affordable & the state was booming. California can and should lead
America with innovative solutions to real life challenges that start with a dedication to the education of our children. That is why I am running for Governor.I know California can do better. There is a saying "as goes California, so goes the
country," but we have dramatically increased our funding of prisons while our investment in schools continues to drop compared to the rest of the nation, and we have neglected to plan for new colleges and universities, while raising tuition and fees,
which is certainly not the direction I think any of us would consciously support. When I hear about the increasing number of students at all education levels who are homeless, for example, I know we must do better.
Source: 2018 CA Governor campaign website DelaineForGovernor.com
, May 2, 2017
Combined higher education and K-12 schools into one bond
In the Assembly she chaired the Education Committee and sponsored major legislation to reform California's education system. Eastin authored the first school bond that combined higher education and K-12 schools into one bond. These bonds helped pay for
new schools at all education levels as well as fixing and modernizing old schools. Delaine advocated for proven programs that work--universal preschool and full-day mandatory kindergarten. "We still do not fund these programs today.
When states like Georgia can find a way to fund pre-school, but California can't--I know we can do better."She ran for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1994 and overcame the Republican wave to become the first--and to date only--woman
to serve in that position. She served two terms from 1995-2003 under two different Governors--one Republican and one Democrat. Eastin oversaw a staff of over 3,000 and a budget that incorporated over 40% of the state budget.
Source: 2018 CA Governor campaign website DelaineForGovernor.com
, May 2, 2017
Oppose Prop 187 targeting immigrant students in classrooms
Eastin championed public libraries, wiring schools for technology, and stronger technical and vocational training for students. She worked to create statewide standards and systems to increase accountability. "I worked with Governor Pete Wilson to
successfully reduce class sizes in every K-3 class in California, but opposed his misguided use of Prop 187 that would have seen us target immigrant students in our classrooms. I'll stand up to Donald Trump and his divisive, misguided policies."
Source: 2018 CA Governor campaign website DelaineForGovernor.com
, May 2, 2017
Parental choice but no vouchers
I really do believe the public school system is important, and I do support it fully. But I also respect the rights of parents that choose to educate their children at home to do so. As to whether we should pay them for homeschooling,
I wouldn't do that. I do not believe in vouchers. I have supported charter schools, including online charters, and I think there are some very good charters in the state.
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal on 2018 California gubernatorial race
, Mar 7, 2017
In 1960s we invested in community colleges
I think of an amazing generation of Californians emerging from our nation's worst depression and the world's most terrible war, and generously investing in K-12 education and in an incredible system of community colleges, state universities and a
University of California that were individually and collectively the envy of the nation by 1965.In the years since 1985, the systems have each suffered disinvestment. Our K-12 schools, which were fifth in per-pupil investment, dropped as low as 50th,
but now linger around 42nd, adjusted for the cost of living in California. Our community colleges were free until 30 years ago, and the modest fees charged for CSU and UC have skyrocketed.
Our future was bright and beautiful because a generation of warriors and workers, who had suffered great deprivation, dreamed great dreams for future generations and invested accordingly.
Source: Sacramento Bee OpEd for 2018 California gubernatorial race
, Dec 22, 2016
Expand "First 5" to include mandatory kindergarten
Sixteen states have mandatory kindergarten, but some California leaders say we cannot afford it. Preschool is more readily available not only in other affluent states like New York and Connecticut, but also in historically undereducated states like
Georgia and Oklahoma. California is tragically underinvested in preschool.Our child development services are inadequate and while we have First 5, remember it was not an initiative of the governor and the Legislature.
It was the brainchild of Rob Reiner, and I was proud to be his honorary co-chair in 1998 as we taxed tobacco to help the youngest among us.
When the governor and the Legislature got in a financial hole a few years later, they dishonestly attempted
to redirect the money from First 5 and child development to balance the budget. They had to get the voters' approval and the voters turned them down by a vote of nearly 2-to-1. Principled voters knew that our children should come first.
Source: Sacramento Bee OpEd for 2018 California gubernatorial race
, Dec 22, 2016
Page last updated: Jun 16, 2018