[courtesy of California Progress Report]

In this week’s Democratic weekly radio address, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and Executive Director of the P16 Council José Ortega highlight California’s alarming high school dropout rate. They also call for the support needed to ensure our children are well-educated and our economy is competitive.

You may listen in English or Spanish. A full transcript follows.

Hello, this is State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell.

This year, for the first time using student level data, California was able to report with much more accuracy information about the number of students who either dropped out or graduated from high school.

Implementing a system that revealed the truth about our dropout problem was a very important first step. Now we must face the alarming news that one in four students is dropping out of our California public high schools.

These high school dropouts will struggle to find employment, let alone find a job in which their true potential flourishes.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

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By Frank D. Russo

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has released a massive 36 page survey taken of over 2500 Californians that focuses on education but provides a wealth of data on how residents and likely voters are thinking about a number of other issues. The survey is the 4th annual one conducted by the PPIC, a non-partisan, non-profit organization.

The poll shows strong support for education. When asked to identify the one area they want protected from spending cuts, K-12 education is by far and away the largest one identified—by 60% of Californians and 61% of likely voters. It outdistances health and human services at 15%, higher education 11%, and prisons and corrections 8%.