FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                   

February 11, 2004

Contact:  Blake Thompson (510) 465-6444

Statement Released by Director Russlynn Ali

"O’Connell Made Right Move in Calling for A-G for All"

“I applaud State Superintendent of Public Education Jack O’Connell for taking an historic first step today toward ensuring that all California students are given the skills they need for success. 

In his State of California Education address, Superintendent O’Connell rightly recommended that California should keep up with new realities by placing all of our students in our college prep curriculum, the ‘A-G’ sequence. 

This is the right move. 

The marketplace is changing.  Research is clear that the skills needed for success in work and in college are converging.  Ready for work and ready for college mean the same thing.  And to be ready for either one in California, students need A-G.

Research is also clear that achievement levels go up – for all students, even initially low performing ones – when kids are enrolled in more challenging, college prep classes. 

Without the state-level mandate Superintendent O’Connell has proposed, too few California students complete the full ‘A-G’ course sequence.  Instead, students are channeled into low-level classes that don’t adequately prepare them for entry into more and more apprentice and vocational programs, or for admission to college. 

Indeed, 60% of our white high-school graduates, 42% of our Asian American high-school graduates, a full 75% of our African American high-school graduates and 78% of our Latino graduates are barred from many paths because they haven’t successfully completed the full A-G sequence, too often because we don’t give them access to the right courses.

Some districts, like San Jose, Fontana and New Haven, have blazed trails by enrolling all students in A-G, with tremendous success.  Today, Superintendent O’Connell has given us a chance for California to shine, as well.  We must make the move to A-G for all.  Our children’s futures – and the future of our state – depend on it.”

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