State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today hosted a California Apprenticeship Summit to raise awareness of apprenticeship opportunities and career technical education pathways that connect California’s youth to high-wage, high-growth career opportunities. The summit took place at the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California in Sacramento and featured a panel of industry experts, educators, and students.

“What makes registered apprenticeship unique as an educational opportunity is that it disrupts the myth that our young people need to choose between investing in their learning and earning right away. By becoming apprentices, students enter pathways that support their learning, provide mentorship, workplace protections, and a clear path to advancement that means a student’s first job out of high school can truly become their career,” Superintendent Thurmond said. “These job skills and technical knowledge—which can be obtained through apprenticeship programs—are the foundation for a strong economy and community in the years to come.”

Source: SPI Hosts California Apprenticeship Summit – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 44 schools have been designated as 2024 Purple Star Schools. Now in its third year, the California Purple Star School Designation Program recognizes schools that are committed and equipped to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.

“I commend the remarkable dedication and support shown by the winning schools of the California Purple Star School Designation Program. By embracing and enhancing services for military-connected students and their families, these schools exemplify our commitment to inclusivity, understanding, and excellence in education,” Thurmond said. “Their efforts not only enrich the educational experience but also foster a sense of belonging and appreciation for our military community.”

Purple Star Schools seek to reduce the burden on military-connected students and their families by providing the most critical transition supports. With more than 2.6 million active-duty service members and individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserves, the military is one of the United States’ largest workforces. In 2022, California had 242,624 active-duty service members and individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserves.

Source: SPI Announces 2024 California Purple Star Schools – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was honored today with the Cesar E. Chavez Opportunity Award for his impactful work in empowering and influencing the lives of farm working families residing in predominantly rural communities. The award was presented to Superintendent Thurmond at the 8th Annual Cesar Chavez Legacy Breakfast, in celebration of Chavez’s 97th birthday, by The Farmworkers Institute of Education & Leadership Development (FIELD)

External link opens in new window or tab..“Extraordinary models of social justice inspire us to do better and be better. There are few that rival the inspiration of Cesar Chavez and FIELD, an organization he founded 46 years ago, and their work to support farm working and rural communities,” Thurmond said. “When I began my career in public service, I committed myself to lifting up our communities that needed it the most. That did not change when I began my service as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. I am truly honored and humbled by this award.”

During the COVID pandemic, Thurmond fought to secure resources—both public and private—to ensure children of rural and farmworker communities had access to digital devices and WiFi so they would not fall behind as classrooms closed. He also secured funding to provide water bottles to Coachella farmworkers during a scorching summer heatwave and secured personal protective equipment (PPE) distribution during the pandemic to support not only schools, but also farmworkers and Native American families, along with several nonprofits, including the UFW Foundation.

Source: SPI Tony Thurmond Honored with Cesar Chavez Award – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation. During the summit, which featured a panel of financial and education leaders, Thurmond also announced his recruitment efforts for a Personal Finance Task Force to inform implementation of personal finance education for K–12 students across the state, especially as a source of economic empowerment for those in marginalized communities.

“This effort is fundamentally about empowering our youth and uplifting our communities. Personal finance provides our young people with the tools to understand and improve their own economic situation, and by establishing personal finance as a requirement for California students through Assembly Bill 2927, we would ensure that this powerful opportunity is afforded to all,” said Thurmond. “If our children are equipped with the skills to understand and change their own financial situation, we can help shrink the gender wage gap and build generational wealth in our communities of color as our young people move forward and manage their money, grow their wealth, and understand value when making critical decisions for their own futures and their future families.”

Source: Personal Finance Education Summit Recap – Year 2024 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced two outstanding high school students to represent California in the 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Aaron Combs of San Diego (San Diego County), a senior at Canyon Crest Academy in the San Dieguito Union High School District, and Emi Sakamoto of Culver City (Los Angeles County), a senior at Culver City High School in the Culver City Unified School District, were selected for their exceptional leadership skills, noteworthy commitments to their schools and communities, and academic and extracurricular achievements as California’s delegates in this highly competitive program.

“I am incredibly proud of and impressed by these extraordinary students, who are doing so much in their schools and communities to make a difference in the lives of others. Their significant accomplishments speak to their impressive character and dedication,” Thurmond said. “They will make excellent representatives for California.”

Source: 2024 CA U.S. Senate Youth Program Representatives – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will be honored on Saturday, October 7, with the Excellence Award for exceptional work in education. This award will be given to Superintendent Thurmond by the youth mentoring nonprofit organization, 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire, at their 7th Annual Gala for his efforts helping African American and underserved communities in the school system and his ongoing work at the California Department of Education (CDE) to address opportunity gaps.

“It is a great honor to be recognized with the Excellence Award for exceptional work in education by the 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire,” said Thurmond. “It’s also an honor and my mission to serve California schools and all our communities. I look forward to continuing my work collaborating with educators and communities across the state to ensure every student receives opportunities and the quality education they deserve.”

Source: SPI to Receive Professional Excellence Award – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today celebrated the signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 1078 (Jackson), which bans “book bans” in schools, prohibits censorship of instructional materials, and strengthens California law requiring schools to provide all students access to textbooks that teach about California’s diverse communities. AB 1078, an urgency statute, took effect immediately when it was signed yesterday, and California is only one of two states enacting a law to halt book bans. AB1078 was one of several bills Superintendent Thurmond sponsored to strengthen supports for more inclusive education that were recently signed by the Governor.

“AB 1078 sends a strong signal to the people of California—but also to every American—that in the Golden State, we don’t ban books, we cherish them,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “This law will serve as a model for the nation that California recognizes and understands the moment we are in—and while some want to roll back the clock on progress, we are doubling down on forward motion. Rather than limiting access to education and flat-out banning books like other states, we are embracing and expanding opportunities for knowledge and education, because that’s the California way.”

Source: SPI-Sponsored Bill to Halt Book Bans Signed – Year 2023 (CA Dept of Education)