Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/358877
CTA & You State Council State Council sees dangers posed by schools chief candidate Tuck Watch for CTA election recommendations By Mike Myslinski V O T E R S M U S T R E - E L E C T To m To r l a k s o n , a p r ove n l e a d e r a n d advocate for our students, as state superintendent of public instruction, or face the dangers that corporate education reformer Marshall Tuck poses to our public schools, CTA President Dean E. Vote told State Council delegates just days before the June 3 primary election. To r l a k s o n h a s " l e d e f f o r t s t o expand career and technical educa- tion. And he knows how important it is for our students to develop critical thinking skills, rather than just learn- ing how to bubble in a standardized test," Vogel said. Thanks to CTA members turning out the vote, Torlakson secured about 46.3 percent of the votes cast in the primary and will face Marshall Tuck in the November runoff. A remark- able 94 percent of CTA-endorsed state and federal candidates prevailed in the election, and 76 percent of CTA-backed local can- didates, school bonds and parcel taxes won. "My opponent says teachers have way too much to say in California, and he wants to roll back your rights so pri- vate interests can step in," Torlakson told delegates. "Our message is clear — our schools are no place for Wall Street speculation, and the trading floor of Salomon Brothers is no training ground for the superintendent of public instruction of California." Members noted Torlakson's dedication to students of greatest need — he authored the acclaimed Quality Education Investment Act of 2006 to spend $3 billion for low-performing schools on proven reforms like smaller class sizes over eight years. High school graduation rates are at their highest level ever. "Do we keep California mov- ing forward in the right direction?" he asked. "Or do we take a huge step backwards?" Watch for a list of teacher-recommended candidates in the next issue, or visit cta.org/campaign. Above: CTA President Dean Vogel greets Superintendent Tom Torlakson. Right: Mari Perini, Irvine Teachers Association, reads new business items online. 52 www.cta.org