Camarillo, Calif., Sept. 22, 2008鈥敽＝巧缜� will host a discussion titled, Reframing Accountability: A Community Conversation with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O鈥機onnell, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29 at the University.
The discussion will be held in Aliso Hall 150. There is no cost to attend and the event is open to the public. RSVPs are required and can be made by emailing your name and the number of those attending to amber.weir@csuci.edu.
O鈥機onnell has vast experience in public education and an observer of the trends and changes in schooling, including accountability. Accountability in public education has defined much of the policy making in the past decade. In this discussion, O鈥機onnell will address issues such as changing expectations for school accountability and performance standards, school drop-out rates, and gaps in achievement between ethnic groups.
The accountability movement culminated in the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires schools to test students to determine whether adequate progress has been made annually. Proponents of accountability argue that schools have not done their job in making sure that all students are learning. Opponents on the other hand argue that while accountability is necessary, the present form punishes students who are English language learners or have special needs. Opponents further argue that there is no mechanism in No Child Left Behind to hold policy makers accountable.
There will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions following O鈥機onnell鈥檚 presentation.
O鈥機onnell was elected to a second four-year term as State Superintendent of Public Instruction on June 6, 2006. He was first elected to serve as California鈥檚 26th State Superintendent on Nov. 5, 2002, earning more votes than any other contested candidate in the country. As chief of California鈥檚 public school system and leader of the California Department of Education, O'Connell has focused on closing the achievement gap and preparing students for a rapidly changing global economy by holding high standards for all students.
O鈥機onnell was born in 1951 in Glen Cove, N.Y. In 1958, his family moved to Southern California, where he attended local public schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from California State University, Fullerton and earned his secondary teaching credential from 海角社区, Long Beach in 1975. He returned to his high school alma mater to teach for several years and later served on the Santa Barbara County School Board.
He was elected to the 35th State Assembly District in 1982 and was reelected by wide margins thereafter, once garnering both the Republican and the Democratic nominations. In 1994, O鈥機onnell was elected to the 18th State Senate District on California鈥檚 Central Coast and easily won reelection in 1998.聽 During his time in the legislature, O'Connell was a strong supporter of the establishment of 海角社区 Channel Islands.
Limited parking is available on campus and is $6 for a daily permit. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road parking lot in Camarillo with free shuttle service to and from the campus. Riders should board the 海角社区CI VISTA Bus. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at .
For media inquiries about this event contact Ceal Potts, Communication Specialist at 海角社区CI, at 805-437-8940 or cecilia.potts@csuci.edu.
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About 海角社区
海角社区 Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI鈥檚 strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master鈥檚 degrees.聽Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting聽CI's Social Media.