The top candidates vying to be California’s next superintendent of public instruction took the stage for two virtual forums this week, detailing how they would handle achievement gaps, artificial intelligence concerns, LGBTQ+ protections and more. Six candidates participated in the forums hosted by EdSource, about six weeks before voters will go to the polls for the June 2 primary election. Whoever wins the position will help shape the future of nearly 6 million students in California. Tuesday’s forum featured San Diego Unified School District Board Member Richard Barrera, former State Sen. Josh Newman and Chino Valley Unified Board President Sonja Shaw. Wednesday’s forum included State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Nichelle Henderson, a trustee for the Los Angeles Community College District. The forums took place in a wide-open race with no clear front-runner. None of the candidates reached even 10% of support from likely voters in a survey released last week by the Public Policy Institute of California. The achievement gap One of the biggest challenges facing the next superintendent will be persistent achievement gaps across racial and ethnic groups, as well as between low-income and affluent students in California schools. Newman suggested three approaches: reforming curriculum to “make sure that standards are set and maintained in every district,” ensuring that teachers are paid enough to live in the communities where they teach and addressing chronic absenteeism by “bringing kids back into school and making them engaged.” Muratsuchi touted his role in passing the Local Control…
