About the October 19th California Education Policy Convening

"Getting from Facts to Policy"

A California Education Policy Convening
Hosted by EdSource, October 19, 2007 Sacramento, California

Background

Policy Briefs

Convening video

As an independent and impartial host, EdSource organized a California Education Policy Convening on October 19, 2007, in Sacramento to facilitate the presentation and sharing of education policy options based upon nonpartisan analysis, study and research. These policy alternatives were offered by a broad and diverse range of top-level K–12 opinion leaders in California.

More than 300 people attended the day-long event, including business and civic leaders, researchers, education professionals, community and reform advocates, and state officials. Leading up to the Convening, EdSource received 47 six-page policy briefs—based on research and evidence—from about 50 education stakeholders and experts. These briefs raised issues that the individuals and organizations submitting them think are most important for improving student academic outcomes in California, and were presented in breakout sessions during the Convening. Each of the 47 policy briefs can be viewed and downloaded online.

View Policy Briefs

Read Synthesis of Policy Recommendations

Background
In the mid-1990s, California began the hard work of setting rigorous K–12 academic content and student performance standards, then aligning the curriculum, the student assessments, and the school accountability system to the goal of meeting those standards. K–12 district and site leaders and educators have been working hard ever since to implement these standards-based reforms and there has been considerable progress. However, there have been no comparable state policy reforms to better align the school funding, governance, personnel and leadership, or data systems to the goal of improved student performance.

But a growing and comprehensive body of research, including the Getting Down to Facts portfolio of studies, has spurred much good thinking and discussion. The governor has declared 2008 the “Year of Education Reform” and many policymakers are motivated to develop comprehensive, meaningful, research-based education policy agendas that could take the state’s education system to another level in its ability to make significant gains in student achievement. Between the availability of good research—and a motivated, interested policymaking body in Sacramento— California has a window of opportunity this fall and spring for making bold headway on education reform.

View Convening agenda (PDF)

View details of breakout sessions (PDF)