The big picture: California’s top education leaders painted an optimistic picture of the state’s K-14 system at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego this week but offered few specifics on how to close the learning gaps left by the pandemic.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian shared a stage to discuss the state of education in California. Both touted signature initiatives, though the conversation tilted toward aspiration over execution.
What they said: Sonya Christian highlighted dual enrollment as a major success story for the state’s community college system. The chancellor has pushed an ambitious goal: make dual enrollment the default for every 9th grader in California, putting all students on a college course pathway before they finish high school.
That vision is backed by real momentum. California’s community college system has been expanding dual enrollment partnerships with K-12 districts, and the state’s Vision 2030 strategic plan calls for every high school student to complete at least 12 units of dual enrollment credit. Right now, only about 6% of California students take a college course in their first year of high school.
Tony Thurmond focused on his Literacy Moonshot, a plan to get all California students reading at grade level by third grade. The initiative includes funding for dyslexia screening, tutoring, and teacher training. But Thurmond acknowledged that legislative delays have slowed progress on key programs, including mandated dyslexia testing that was authorized under SB 114 in 2023 but has been slow to roll out statewide.
Thurmond, who is running for governor in California’s 2026 race, also voiced support for the California Billionaire Tax Act (PDF File) — a proposed one-time 5% tax on individual net worth exceeding $1 billion. If passed, some of the revenue would fund K-14 public education.
How this connects: Dual enrollment is one of the most effective tools for reducing the overall cost of college. As The College Investor has reported, dual enrollment courses can be free through community colleges and students who start a four-year university with dual enrollment credits are among the most likely to finish. California’s push to scale this statewide could become a model for other states looking to make college more affordable and accessible.
The bottom line: The panel was heavy on broad goals and light on concrete plans to address the learning losses from the pandemic. California students (like students across the country) are still working to recover from years of disrupted schooling.
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Editor: Colin Graves
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