OAKLAND - State Schools Chief candidate State Sen. Jack O'Connell, author of California's Class Size Reduction law, will join teachers to demonstrate the success of the program and call for expanding class size reduction to all grades during a tour Wednesday morning of Oakland's Fruitvale Elementary School. Fruitvale Elementary is an example of a school that has made tremendous strides over the past five years as a result of Class Size Reduction and other reforms.
"Teachers support Jack O'Connell because he knows that programs like class-size reduction - rather than phony reforms like school vouchers - are the key to improving our public schools. Jack will be a powerful advocate on behalf of public education, students and teachers," said CTA Vice President Barbara E. Kerr, who will tour the school with O'Connell.
O'Connell, the leading candidate for the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in California, has been a strong voice for public education during his years in the state Senate and Assembly, and as a former teacher and school board member. In addition to his landmark legislation to reduce class size in grades K-3, Sen. O'Connell has worked to provide more incentives for beginning teachers, led the fight to reduce the two-thirds requirement to pass local school bonds, and helped craft the state's education spending plans.
- O'Connell's appearance in Oakland is especially fitting since striking Oakland teachers helped lead the charge for class size reduction back in 1996, delivering hundreds of petitions to the state.
- WHAT : State Schools Chief Candidate Jack O'Connell calls for expanding the state's Class Size Reduction program during tour of Oakland school.
- WHEN : Wednesday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m.
- WHERE : Fruitvale Elementary School, 3200 Boston Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602
- VISUALS : Students, teachers, O'Connell, Kerr in classroom scenes and activities