Tuck and Thurmond: A Side by Side Comparison
November’s race for Superintendent of Public Instruction is getting a lot of attention and rightfully so. With California schools ranked near the bottom of the country in academic performance, it’s crucial that we elect the candidate who has experience in improving outcomes for California students.
Marshall Tuck has worked in education for over fifteen years, while Tony Thurmond has hopped from one political office to another. Tuck’s leadership of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools was hailed as one of the most notable education successes in California history. He turned around fifteen public schools in Los Angeles that had been neglected by the system. Meanwhile, Tony Thurmond’s term on the West Contra Costa School Board in Richmond was marred by financial scandal, poor academic performance, and appalling school conditions.
That is why we support Marshall Tuck for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
We’ve taken an apples-to-apples look at their records in education:
Marshall Tuck
Raised graduation rates across his schools by 60%.
90% of Tuck’s schools increased their ranking in math.
Truancy rate halved at Tuck’s schools.
Students of color and low-income students in Tuck’s schools given the resources needed to succeed
Endorsed by President Obama’s Education Secretary, Arne Duncan
Tony Thurmond
Graduation rates stagnant during his term on the school board.
No more than 3% of 10th and 11th grade students proficient in Algebra I.
Truancies increase by 37%.
Received an “F” grade for failing to properly serve students of color and low-income students.
Sued by the ACLU for leaving “at-risk” students in rotting trailers.
Called out by the Obama administration for not protecting students from sexual assault and harassment