The public sets qualifications and standards for teachers, administrators, district superintendents and schools, but none exist for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the top educator position serving more than 5 million students and more than 500,000 school-related positions and employees. The office has become a political springboard for politicians, rather than one of service by a qualified, experienced, nonpartisan educator who has a proven track record of leadership, educational innovation and administrative skills. Real, tangible common-sense solutions that result in easily implemented programs will be few, if any. The public needs to demand a set of professional standards for future candidates for the position of state superintendent.
None presently exist.
We require the attorney general to be a lawyer and member of the California State Bar. Judges must be experienced attorneys and members of the bar. Professional criteria must assure the public that the position is available only to highly qualified, experienced educators, not politicos. Must have been a school, district or local educational agency administrator, including a principal, for at least 10 continuous years. Must have served as a district or county superintendent for at least 10 years.