Why We’re on #TeamTuck for SPI

Every child deserves exposure to the complex skills needed to compete in a 21st century economy. We should want all of our kids to succeed, rather than just the privileged minority. However, despite the fact that California is home to many of the world’s largest and most successful technology companies, we are depriving 3.6 million low-income California kids from access to our state’s innovations in the classroom.

For this election in November, we’re on #TeamTuck, supporting Marshall Tuck for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. We believe that Marshall can help close the resource and achievement gaps in our public schools and prepare all California kids for the jobs of tomorrow.

Today, only 18% of low-income fourth graders are proficient in reading, compared to 52% of their more affluent peers. In math, low-income fourth graders in California rank second- to-last in the nation. In fact, the gap between low-income fourth graders and their more affluent peers, in 4th and 8th grades, in math and reading, hasn’t budged in nearly two decades. It’s unacceptable now – and it was unacceptable two decades ago. Another two decades would be unimaginable.

Only Marshall Tuck has a proven track record of helping California’s most at-risk students. Tuck turned around fifteen of Los Angeles’s most underserved schools, in the toughest neighborhoods left behind by the system. He raised graduation rates 60% by implementing an innovative new curriculum and giving kids the tools and resources needed to succeed.

And only Marshall Tuck has a plan to build a 21st century education system for everyone. Tuck will fight for universal pre-K to give all kids a real head start, and he’ll expand access and training to the latest technology and tools, especially in low-income and rural schools.

This November 6th, we have a real opportunity to change the course of public education and close the persistent education gap between the two Californias. Like all change in America, it starts with your vote.