Schools Chief Candidate Larry Aceves Comments On Release Of School Test

Says gains are remarkable in light of deep budget cuts

California Superintendent of Schools Candidate Larry Aceves made the following comments today following the Department of Education’s release of the 2009 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program report:

"California's students and educators deserve our appreciation for the improvements in California's standardized test scores.  The gains our schools and students have made are remarkable considering that our schools have suffered severe budget cuts on top of decades of inadequate funding."

"For the half of California students who still lack proficiency in Math and English, and their families, today’s report offers little to celebrate.  It is clear California needs to be investing more in our schools and our children if they are to succeed in college and the job market, yet the deep budget cuts made last month by the Governor and the Legislature means California students will have fewer opportunities in the future.  The disparities in students’ scores and proficiencies highlighted in today’s report should come as no surprise to elected leaders.  They bemoan the achievement gap that disadvantages students of color and separates wealthier districts from poorer ones, but then they vote for cuts that will exacerbate these divides."/

"It is a travesty that our leaders gave up on finding new revenue to support our children, instead forcing deep cuts that mean California students will endure even more crowded classrooms, suffer from a lack of transportation to and from school, lose access to support services before and after school, and lack the enrichment of art and music programs."

"I’m not a politician, but an educator with more than 30 years’ experience in California’s public schools.  As a teacher, principal and superintendent, I’ve seen firsthand what our kids have had to put with up with.  For too long our kids have been paying the price for Sacramento’s irresponsibility in funding education."

"California’s schools are currently facing the largest funding cuts in our state’s history.  At the same time, the expectations for our students and the demands on educators have never been greater.  When elected in 2010, I will bring aggressive leadership to the State Superintendent’s office to protect California’s public schools from further devastation and to improve academic achievement for all our students."

Larry Aceves served as teacher, principal, and superintendent in school districts in San Jose, San Diego and the Central Coast. He is a Democrat and a candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2010.

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First-Time Candidate Larry Aceves Blows Past Career Politicians Romero & Torlakson In First 2010 Fundraising Report

Aceves far surpasses expectations for a first-time candidate in a statewide race

Demonstrating that Californians are anxious to have an educator, not a politician, lead our schools, state records released today show that first-time Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Larry Aceves surpassed career politicians Gloria Romero and Tom Torlakson in the first campaign finance report for the 2010 election.

Far surpassing expectations for a first-time candidate in a statewide race, Aceves raised more than $207,000 in only half the reporting period after joining the race in April.  Romero, a two-term State Senator who was previously a member of the State Assembly, raised just $134,000 in the six-month reporting period.  Torlakson, who has served more than 12 years in the State Legislature, raised just $189,000 in new contributions since January 1.  While Torlakson reported contributions of $545,807, in fact more than $356,000 of this amount represents a transfer of funds from his Assembly campaign committee.

"As a first-time candidate, I am honored to have received the support of so many small, individual donors who believe California needs an educator, not a politician to lead our public schools," Aceves said.

Aceves' superior financial showing comes on top of a growing list of more than 400 education leaders who have already endorsed his campaign.  Additionally, Aceves has received the support of the Association of California School Administrators, the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, and the Association of Mexican American Educators PAC.

Aceves, a Democrat, is not a politician but an educator who has been dedicated to teaching and learning since 1974 when he began his educational career as an elementary school teacher.  He served as teacher, principal, and superintendent throughout his career and in school districts in San Jose, San Diego and the Central Coast.

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Aceves Campaign Reports Strong, Early Financial Support In First-Time Candidate’s Race For Superintendent Of Public Instruction

Contributions show Aceves has built a strong foundation of grassroots support

Demonstrating that Californians are looking for an educator rather than a politician to lead California’s schools, Larry Aceves’ Superintendent of Public Instruction campaign today reported having raised over $200,000 in just half the campaign reporting period which ended June 30.  Aceves’ report shows his campaign has quickly accelerated to full speed; while Aceves’ opponents have long-standing candidate committees, Aceves launched his first campaign in April and his strong first report represents just 10 weeks of fundraising.

The financial strength of Aceves’ campaign was bolstered by a broad network of small donors that the campaign will continue to engage over the next year; more than 70% of his contributions have been in donations of less than $100.

“With nearly one year to go before the June 2010 election, our campaign has built a strong foundation of grassroots support,” Aceves said.  “As a first-time candidate, I am honored to have received the support of so many small, individual donors who believe California needs an educator, not a politician to lead our public schools.”

Aceves’ strong financial showing comes on top of a growing list of more than 400 education leaders who have already endorsed his campaign.  Additionally, Aceves has received the support of the Association of California School Administrators, the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, and the Association of Mexican American Educators PAC.

Aceves, a Democrat, is not a politician but an educator who has been dedicated to teaching and learning since 1974 when he began his educational career as an elementary school teacher.  He served as teacher, principal, and superintendent throughout his career and in school districts in San Jose, San Diego and the Central Coast.

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