Stanford School of Education and Call to Serve at the Haas Center for Public Service present: California State Senator Joe Simitian, in conversation with Professor Emeritus Michael Kirst
California State Senator Joe Simitian will present an overview of the problems plaguing the financing of California's K-12 schools. Following his presentation, Professor Michael Kirst will discuss findings of a recent school finance study and the possibilities of organizing a political coalition that would support finance reform based upon adequacy, efficiency, and charters. Both presenters will comment on Proposition 88, a statewide parcel tax to provide additional funding to K-12.
A Q&A session and reception will immediately follow the lecture. This talk is part of the School of Education's Cubberley Lecture series.
Joe Simitian was elected to the California State Senate in November 2004 to represent the 11th Senate District. His career in public service includes positions as a State Assemblymember, member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, and President of the Palo Alto School Board. He currently chairs the Environmental Quality Committee and staffs several committees, including the Education Committee and the Budget Subcommittee on Education. He earned a master's degree in International Policy Studies at Stanford in 2000.
Michael Kirst has been Professor of Education and Business Administration at Stanford since 1969. He has published articles on the politics of curriculum, school finance and education reform policies. He has authored several books, including The Political Dynamics of American Education (2005) and From High School to College (2004). Professor Kirst served as a member of the California State Board of Education from 1975-1982 and its president from 1977-1981.