Education

During the presidential primary debates and town halls for both parties, no candidate in either camp was asked important questions about education.

Five years after Gov. Jerry Brown signed the FAIR Education Act, California’s public schools are now rolling LGBTQ history into the coursework.

I opened Microsoft Word and opened a new blank document to write my final weekly column for San Jose Inside. I am doing so with a heavy heart.

As I write my penultimate column, I reflect on the most critical issues confronting our region’s future progress and economic vitality. There is little doubt that the quality of public education is number one.

At a certain point one has to wonder if this has been Superintendent Jon Gundry’s plan all along: change disclosure policies on consulting contracts; discreetly hand out a bunch of big-dollar deals; fire the internal watchdogs; and rule through fear and intimidation so any other objectors resign.

Last week was amazing. The Supreme Court delivered two major victories to move our country forward, the President exhibited strength and eloquence in the aftermath of a tragedy, and a young woman of unparalleled courage graced us with her presence.

A child porn and abuse scandal—as well as public scrutiny on how the county schools chief spends taxpayer dollars behind closed doors—has sent the Santa Clara County Office of Education into lockdown mode. The stonewalling includes violations of the Public Records Act.

There is a new beginning in California for economic development and ending mass incarceration. Yesterday, Gov. Jerry Brown agreed to allot an additional $265 million to fund early education for low-income children.

Madison Nguyen, San Jose’s former vice-mayor and a current candidate for the 27th Assembly District, published an op-ed Thursday calling for the creation of University of California, San Jose.

Once in a while, real journalism rears its fierce head to expose issues that are actually germane to the public and need public scrutiny. San Jose Inside’s recent reports on the county Superintendent of Schools fall into this category.