California Education System Criticized as Adult-Centric

Gloria Romero, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in California, has sharply criticized the state's public education system, arguing that it functions more as a "public works system" serving the interests of adults rather than the academic needs of children. Romero contends that powerful institutions, particularly the California Teachers Association (CTA), wield significant political influence in Sacramento, shaping policies that hinder school choice and parent rights, ultimately impacting student outcomes.

In an opinion piece, Romero highlighted the disproportionate political power of the CTA, noting that its substantial lobbying efforts and campaign contributions overwhelmingly favor Democratic candidates. This, she argues, creates a system where the concerns of children are secondary to the operational and financial interests of those within the educational bureaucracy. "The child pays the price, but all Californians suffer," Romero stated.

Recent statewide assessment results illustrate the challenges, with only 48.8% of California students meeting or exceeding standards in reading and 37.3% in math. These figures are notably lower for Latino and Black students. Romero pointed to this data as evidence that the system fails to ensure students are adequately prepared for college-level work, citing rampant grade inflation and the potential return of objective metrics like the SAT.

Romero emphasized that teachers themselves are not the issue, expressing respect for their work and their right to organize for better conditions. However, she differentiates this from ceding education policy decisions to a political organization representing adult employees. "Respecting teachers is not the same thing as surrendering education policy to a political organization representing adults employed by the system," she wrote.

The candidate advocated for greater parental empowerment, including transparent academic standards, honest reporting on student proficiency, and increased school choice options such as charter, magnet, private, or homeschooling. Romero's campaign for lieutenant governor is motivated by a desire to ensure that public education serves children first, echoing her mother's belief in education as the key to the American Dream. She called for challenging the existing power structure to ensure California's children have access to opportunities for success.