By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond raised concerns about a proposal to move the state’s education department under the governor’s office, while policy researchers argued the current system is too fragmented to deliver consistent results for students.
The debate took place March 25 during an Assembly Committee on Education Informational Hearing, where lawmakers examined whether restructuring governance could improve how education policies are implemented across the state.
Thurmond told lawmakers he has not seen evidence that the proposed shift would lead to better outcomes for students.
“I don’t think that the proposal is a bad thing,” he said, noting greater gubernatorial focus on education could be beneficial. However, he added, “what I cannot find is any explanation about why and how this will benefit student outcomes.”
Thurmond warned that structural changes alone would not drive improvement.
“Making this shift alone will not make student outcomes better,” Thurmond said, emphasizing that the proposal does not include new funding or program investments.
Instead, Thurmond urged lawmakers to focus on proven strategies such as early literacy and closing achievement gaps.
“If you want to make impact, look to the things that are proven, like making sure that every single student knows how to read by third grade,” he said.
Seth Bramble, legislative advocate for the California Teachers Association (CTA), said his organization has a number of concerns.
“First of all, teachers report that guidance from the California Department of Education is often unavailable when it’s needed,” he said. “The question that we ask, how does this governance proposal address the need for timely, actionable guidance?”
Bramble says there is also a capacity issue — more so than a funding one. “
“The California Teachers Association has significant questions about the current governance proposal and related budget trailer bill language,” he said. “While the California Department of Education has room for improvement, we question whether this proposal addresses the real issues. Teachers ask us, what are the duties of the newly envisioned superintendent?”
Jeannie Myung, a researcher with Policy Analysis for California Education, presented findings suggesting California’s governance system is misaligned with its policy goals.
She said strong education policies often fall short during implementation.
“Even when the state adopted bold student-centered policies, implementation frequently fell short of the policy’s potential for students,” Myung said.
Her report found that California’s system includes many actors with overlapping roles, which can create confusion and weaken accountability.
“When everyone is in charge, no one is in charge,” she said, calling for clearer responsibilities across agencies.
Myung added that aligning the California Department of Education (CDE) more closely with the State Board could help connect policy decisions with implementation, though she acknowledged structural changes alone would not solve broader challenges.
Thurmond also raised concerns about the impact on the Department of Education, citing staff uncertainty and long-term underfunding. He urged lawmakers to invest in the agency instead of restructuring it.
