California Education Master Plan Dialogue

This online Dialogue was conducted to give you and others an opportunity to learn about selected education bills, talk with legislators and other education experts, and help them craft legislation to effectively guide the implementation of California's Education Master Plan over the next two decades. It was also designed to help Californians who have not typically been involved in policy development become more familiar with the process by which an idea becomes a law and to actually participate in shaping selected education legislation. This web site will remain active and available for public viewing until April 2004.

We invite you to review the thoughts and ideas exchanged by participants in this dialogue, including California legislators, a variety of guest panelists, and individuals from throughout the state who care enough about education to share their opinions. They can be found by visiting the Agenda and Discussion sections of this website. We encourage you to think about the ideas offered on this important topic. You can also find related information and research by visiting the Library section of the website. There is perhaps nothing more important than successfully rebuilding California's education system with a clear focus on students and the kinds of learning opportunities and support they should be guaranteed.

Next steps:

The ideas and suggestions contained in the week's dialogue will be used by legislative staff to amend Master Plan bills to improve the likelihood that they will achieve their respective goals when enacted.
Most of the amendments will be written over the summer months. The amendments will also address concerns of legislators and state control agencies regarding statutory and regulatory consistency, fiscal implications, and transition steps.
The amended Master Plan bills will be re-introduced in their respective houses (Assembly or Senate) in January 2004, where they will be deliberated and voted on and moved to the second house for similar deliberation and voting.
Ultimately, each bill that successfully receives a majority vote from both houses will move to the Governor for signature.

Individuals who have not yet registered may still do so to receive e-mails with the wrap-up summary and other updates and announcements.

If you would like a status update on implementation of California's Education Master Plan, call the Alliance at 916-322-2049 or email:

Jennifer Mitchell at Jennifer@putstudents1st.org, Charles Ratliff at Charles@putstudents1st.org, or Christine Galves at Christine@putstudents1st.org