Comments on: Torlakson wins teachers’ endorsement

By: John W

John W — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:11:06 +0000

Anybody else even running for the job? I’m a Democrat, but doubt you’ll see Torlakson taking on the unions on such issues as accountability, tenure and charter schools. I’m not in favor of this being an elected position. It strips the elected governor of any ability to influence public policy in the area that accounts for half the state budget. The average voter pays more attention to what the governor and candidates for governor say about public education and gives little thought to who is running for Superintendent.

By: Bill B.

Bill B. — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:08:15 +0000

Where do Mr. Torlakson and other contenders for the office of California Superintendent of Public Instruction stand on the high school exit exam? Superintendent O’Connell has been relatively good at upholding the high school exit exam, especially against considerable criticism from those who called for “alternatives” and other mechanisms that would have undermined its true value as a universal benchmark for measurement of student achievement. Superintendent O’Connell likely will go down in history as someone who effectively used the office for the common good, not to advance or to protect special interests (such as the “big bosses” of the teachers’ unions). If Mr. Torlakson demonstrates similar independence in standing up to the teachers’ unions whenever the public interest outweighs their demands(despite their endorsement), then he has my vote. However, if Mr. Torlakson is just a “pawn” of these unions and other similar special interest groups, then the voters should elect a different candidate.

By: Common Tater

Common Tater — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:52:51 +0000

Of course, Torlakson got the CFT endorsement. He never met a raise in teacher’s salaries that he didn’t like.