A significant new study has called for a radical restructuring of how California governs its vast network of public schools. The report from Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) argues that the state's current, fragmented system is failing students and requires a major shift towards centralised authority under the governor's office to improve outcomes and accountability.
Systemic Flaws Undermining Educational Progress
The 94-page analysis, titled TK-12 Governance in California: Past, Present, and Future, identifies deep-rooted weaknesses in the state's education governance. It points to unclear lines of authority and the challenges of local control as key factors hindering the success of critical state initiatives. These include programs for universal kindergarten and efforts to support districts in closing the achievement gap and reducing chronic absenteeism.
Heather Hough, a senior policy and research fellow at PACE, explained that the present structure often leaves school districts overwhelmed and important programs under-resourced. The report emphasises that these systemic issues directly undermine student progress across the state.
Key Recommendation: Governor-Led Authority and an Expert Manager
A central proposal in the report is to transfer control of the California Department of Education (CDE) from the elected state superintendent of public instruction to the governor. The superintendent's role would be redefined as an independent ombudsman acting as a "chief champion for students." This move aims to clarify decades of confusion in Sacramento about who is ultimately responsible for policy and its implementation.
Furthermore, the report recommends that a governor-appointed State Board of Education should hire an expert manager to oversee the CDE's daily operations. Julie Marsh, a professor of education policy at USC and co-author of the report, stated that California urgently needs an independent evaluator to measure the effectiveness of school programs and spending. This model would align California with 20 other states, including Massachusetts, New York, and Florida, where state boards appoint chief state school officers.
Historical Context and a Poor Governance Grade
The PACE analysis is not the first to suggest such changes. It traces the debate back to the 1920 Jones Report, which similarly recommended abolishing the elected superintendency. Subsequent studies have echoed this call, though voter initiatives to eliminate the office have historically failed due to political opposition.
The report also highlights the CDE's chronic underfunding and limited capacity, noting that Proposition 98 restricts administrative spending and forces the department to compete for funds with other major programs like Medi-Cal and higher education.
Assigning a report card grade, PACE scored California's overall governance performance at just 2.8 out of a possible 6 points, a rating between poor and fair. This evaluation was based on six elements: strategic thinking, accountability, capacity, knowledge, engagement, and a whole-of-system perspective. Experts interviewed described the system as fragmented and lacking the capacity for long-term strategic implementation.
Jeannie Myung, PACE director of policy research and the report's lead author, concluded that the state must meet the demands of this moment with strategic and unified leadership to ensure all students receive a quality education.
