Secretary of Education Addresses SOE Faculty

Alan Bersin discusses the key provisions of a new $5.1 billion "blockbuster" education funding bill

Alan D. Bersin, Secretary of Education for the State of California, addressed the faculty of National University's School of Education at their special session following the annual University faculty assembly, on Friday September 8 at the Del Mar Marriott.

Secretary Bersin discussed key provisions of Senate Bill 1209, the "blockbuster" package of legislation that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed into law. SB 1209 addresses a predicted teacher shortage by reducing bureaucratic obstacles to the profession and encouraging qualified teachers to take jobs in the state's neediest schools. It provides a $5.1 billion increase in education funding - the largest in California history.

Other topics covered by Bersin included the BTSA program for beginning teachers, which he said needs to be reviewed and renovated; and teaching performance assessment, which he predicted will become a requirement.

Bersin, who became superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District after serving as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, observed that being an educator has been the greatest part of his career. He also commented that in this time of great change in K-12 education, National University's methods of instruction and delivery are cutting edge but need to go further. The Secretary of Education then fielded a number of questions from the faculty.

For more information regarding Secretary Bersin's comments to SOE faculty, e-mail Hoyt Smith in the alumni relations department at hsmith@nu.edu, or call him at (858) 642-8111.