The Senator Reports

December 10th, 2009

Race to the Top Comes to a Steady Halt
By Senator Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad)

After all the work the Senate devoted to move the Race to the Top education reforms forward, our progress has now come to a stop in the Assembly. Instead of supporting the bipartisan reforms blessed by both the Senate and the Governor, the Assembly authored their own reform package. This not only creates unneeded tension between the two houses and the Governor, but is also a step backward when we should be moving forward.

I am pleased the Governor remains supportive of the Senate Race to the Top education reforms that I authored with three other senators. The reforms embrace the support of charter schools, California’s most struggling schools and parental rights.

I’m concerned that the Assembly’s choice is unfortunately a move closer to forgoing a half of $1 billion in federal funds. The Assembly and Senate must now get on the same page, so we can obtain as much funding as possible for our schools.

Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes cities in north San Diego County and the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Senator Mark Wyland
1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 105
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.931.2455 Office
email: senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov