CA-ED: California voters are about to elect a new state superintendent. It's barely on the radar

[Auggie]

1. Today the San Francisco Chronicle endorsed Richard Barrera

With nearly two decades of experience governing California’s second-largest school district, Barrera has an encyclopedic knowledge of education policy and a track record and obvious passion for helping students succeed.

Barrera is endorsed by the powerful California Teachers Association, whose preferred candidate hasn’t lost a state superintendent race in decades. This certainly could be seen as a red flag; the union has often seemed more interested in helping its members than in prioritizing kids, such as when it fought legislation to require elementary-school teachers to be trained in the “science of reading,” a phonics-based method particularly effective at teaching early literacy.

But there’s no denying the positive results Barrera has helped achieve in San Diego, which suggests that his top priority is improving student outcomes, not currying union favor.

SNIP

We believe Barrera is uniquely qualified to get diverse stakeholders rowing in the same direction to improve outcomes for kids. He deserves your vote.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/california-school-superintendent-richard-barrera-22154372.php