State Education Secretary David Long visited the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) to host a community leader event and education roundtable discussion on August 27.
Recognizing the critical importance of a quality education to the future of our economy, and the opportunities available to our children, the State of California has initiated a thorough review of its educational finance and governance systems.
"Our whole focus is to generate ideas and to focus on them," Secretary Long told roundtable attendees in Sacramento. "We know what some of the problems are but what we are looking for from you are some of the solutions."
The title for the statewide series of discussions is California's Year of Education 2008— A Culture of Excellence, A Climate of Accountability.
"We have a great many challenges before us," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to meet and exchange ideas."
The topics of discussion included Achievement and Outcomes, Teaching, Governance, School Finance, Career/Technical Education, and Safe Schools and Student Well-Being.
The Secretary hosted the roundtable discussion, which involved 35 leaders in the fields of education, government, and business from the Sacramento region. Similar meetings are being held in Los Angeles, Fresno, Riverside, Bakersfield, Hayward, San Diego, and Chico.
Secretary Long, appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in March 2007, previously served as the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools. In his current role, he serves as an advisor to the Governor on education policy issues.