The California exceptionalism: How a deep blue state took on a Democratic administration and forged a new way forward in education reform

California refused to enlist in the teacher wars, and it’s betting on a peace dividend. Rather than leading its education reforms with tests, punishments, and markets, it has concentrated on capacity building, expanding grassroots democracy, and rebuilding trust. Rather than demonizing teachers unions, it is counting on them to be political allies and constructive partners.

The most visible difference between California and other states is how the Golden State is implementing more rigorous standards. California is a deep blue state politically, but it has pointed disagreement with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and the Democrats education reform test-and-punish agenda. 

It is not that California objects to standards, although some teachers do. The state had standards-based instruction long before the federal No Child Left Behind Law. But linking new standards and new assessments with teacher evaluation seems premature, at the very least.