The state’s schools chief last week announced in Los Angeles his latest plan to improve California’s education system. The four-year “A Blueprint for Great Schools” offers suggestions to improve teacher recruitment and training, a new school accountability system and continued incorporation of Common Core, the math and English language arts benchmarks adopted by nearly all states.
“Blueprint 2.0 is the next stage of a rocket that is propelling California into a bright future in which every child receives a world-class education,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said at a news conference. “I look forward to implementing these recommendations, which will help us better prepare students for college and careers in the 21st century.”
The plan advocates that the state continue to rebuild its school accountability system, shifting from a “test and judge” approach to “assess and improve.”
The Los Angeles Unified School District commended the action plan.
“The latest road map for California education charts a path that the LAUSD not only embraces, but pursues through its schools,” according to a statement. “L.A. Unified has adopted many of the key areas outlined in the plan for improvement. These include: implementing state standards; improving teaching; and raising accountability in schools.”
“The district also shares Superintendent Torlakson’s commitment to student success, and his optimism for shaping public education in California, guided by the updated plan,” LAUSD said. “The district looks forward to continuing to engage with our teachers, administrators, parents and entire community as we work together to educate children for the 21st century.”
The plan was developed by a team of 29 education leaders and experts, including co-chair Martha Infante, a teacher at the Los Angeles Academy Middle School. Torlakson said the state Department of Education will now work on carrying out the plans.
