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Get to know Superintendent of Schools candidates Tony Thurmond and Marshall Tuck

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The San Diego Union-Tribune asked the two major candidates for state schools superintendent to respond to questions on key issues.

Tony Thurmond is a two-term Democratic assemblyman from Richmond. Marshall Tuck is a former charter school executive and CEO of a nonprofit operation which runs 16 L.A. Unified schools.

The questions are below; to read their answers, click on their respective link.

  • Tom Torlakson has been state superintendent of public instruction since 2011. What is his biggest success? His biggest failure?
  • California’s high school graduation requirements were crafted in the mid-20th century. Should they be updated now to require computer science, media literacy or other skills to address 21st century needs? Which requirements should be added, if any?
  • How, if at all, should California change its approach to charter schools?
  • Is the best way to respond to most problems with public education in California providing more funding? Or coming up with better education strategies? Or a mix of both?
  • The 2013 Local Control Funding Formula law was meant to ensure extra resources helped English-language learners, students from poor families and foster children. But in 2015, Torlakson ruled the money could be used for teacher raises. Was this the right decision? And either way, how should California make sure that schools and ethnic groups that struggle the most get state help?
  • If you could make one bold break with current K-12 policies in California, what would it be?

Here are the candidates’ responses.

Candidate questionnaires

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