New State Superintendent O’Connell reveals educational goals

SAN FRANCISCO “”mdash; Newly elected State Superintendent of
Public Education Jack O’Connell outlined his plans for the
year at an inaugural celebration at UCLA on Thursday.

O’Connell has been touring California this month to share
his goals for his term with the educational community.

At his only Southern California stop, O’Connell said he
plans to follow the lead of past state superintendents, with whom
he attributed increasing student test scores and recent class-size
reductions, while introducing some of his concerns and dealing with
budget cuts.

Despite the cuts, O’Connell said the goals for his term
would not be affected. He plans to focus on a few primary concerns,
which include modernizing existing school facilities and building
new, smaller schools to improve the learning environment.

Attracting highly qualified teachers through pay raises is also
a priority, he said.

“Public education is on the right track; it is important
that we do not retreat,” O’Connell said.

He also faces the challenge of accommodating what he called,
“ambitious student reforms,” from President
Bush’s national education plan, No Child Left Behind.

As superintendent, O’Connell serves as an ex-officio
member of the UC Board of Regents, but he missed his first meeting
held Thursday in San Francisco. He pledged to work more closely
with the public and Gov. Gray Davis, and reject catering to any one
interest on issues of education.

Though his speech dealt mainly with K-12 education,
O’Connell praised UCLA for its commitment to working with the
lower-education community.

He also encouraged Daniel Neuman, executive vice chancellor of
UCLA, who attended the celebration, to maintain these relationships
despite proposed budget cuts.

“By working together I am confident we can catapult
California to the top of education,” O’Connell
said.