California Governor Gains Education Control

California's Governor Gavin Newsom has secured increased authority over the state's education system through a recently enacted law. This legislation shifts control away from the superintendent of public instruction and places it under an agency directly managed by the governor's administration. The move aims to address persistent educational performance gaps, particularly when compared to states like Texas, despite California's higher per-pupil spending and teacher salaries. Data from the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as the nation's official report card, indicated that California students lagged behind their Texas counterparts by nine points in fourth-grade math and three points in eighth-grade math. This performance disparity persists even though California reportedly spends twice as much per pupil as Texas. Michael Kirst, professor emeritus of education at Stanford University and a former president of the California Board of Education, discussed the implications of this significant governance change with Paul E. Peterson on The Education Exchange podcast. Kirst, who has been a key figure in driving educational reforms in California, provided insights into the potential effectiveness of this latest legislative effort. The shift in power concentrates decision-making within the governor's office, a departure from the previous structure where the superintendent of public instruction held more independent authority. This centralization is intended to enable more cohesive and potentially more impactful policy implementation aimed at improving student outcomes across the state. The debate surrounding educational effectiveness and resource allocation in California has been ongoing, with critics pointing to the disconnect between high spending and lagging academic results. The new law represents a bold attempt by Governor Newsom to directly influence and potentially reshape the state's educational landscape. The success of this reform will likely be measured by future NAEP scores and other educational metrics, as well as the ability of the governor's agency to implement effective strategies that close existing achievement gaps. The podcast episode, "The Education Exchange: Ep. 461 – Sept. 21, 2026 – California Eyes a Big Change in School Governance," featured this discussion, highlighting the critical juncture at which California's education policy now stands. The podcast is available on platforms including Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, and is published by Education Next.