Quest Special Ed. Communications℠
Easy to read summaries of important industry communication for management staff at LEAs.
March 20, 2025
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Pledges to Continue Focus on Moving the Needle for Student Achievement, Pushes Back on Unlawful Efforts to Dismantle Federal Education Programs
On March 20, 2025, Tony Thurmond, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for California, issued a public statement in response to an Executive Order aiming to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Thurmond emphasized that such an order cannot legally dissolve the department without congressional approval. He condemned the order’s threats to withhold funding from state and local educational entities for exercising local control, calling these actions unlawful. Thurmond also criticized recent federal actions that have harmed students, including the termination of contracts supporting schools and the abrupt closure of the Office for Civil Rights in California. He reaffirmed California’s commitment to protecting educational opportunities for all students through initiatives like improving literacy and math scores, expanding universal pre-kindergarten, and enhancing personal finance education. Thurmond pledged to continue challenging these federal actions in court while maintaining the state’s focus on improving student achievement.
February 21, 2025
CDE Response to Dear Colleague Letter
On February 21, 2025, Tony Thurmond, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for California, addressed County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, Early Education Directors, and School Principals regarding the implications of a February 14 “Dear Colleague Letter” from the U.S. Department of Education. This letter suggested that schools should eliminate any educational programs recognizing race or risk losing federal funding. Thurmond emphasized that the letter is not legally binding, as it does not constitute law or an enforcement mechanism, and explicitly states that it does not create new legal standards. Additionally, he clarified the thorough legal process required for the revocation of federal funds that goes beyond the letter's recommendations. He reassured recipients that existing laws already prohibit discrimination in public schools based on multiple factors, including race and gender, and pointed out that the federal government has yet to take concrete action in relation to the letter. Lastly, Thurmond expressed gratitude to local educational leaders for their dedication and urged them to report any impacts resulting from federal actions that affect educational services.