Who should lead California’s schools? Ten candidates want the job

California has to keep over 5. 7 million students in safe classrooms and good programs. Some kids speak English at home, some don’t. Some have disabilities, some are top performers. All of them need a state leader who can help districts meet those needs. The current superintendent can’t run again, so ten people stepped up to take the top schools job. They come from classrooms, policy offices, unions, and even the state legislature. One runs a tutoring business, another once held the speaker’s gavel, and two more lead school boards. Reading scores have been slipping for years. A few hopefuls say it is time to go back to proven reading methods. One candidate wants to load up a colorful bus and visit schools that refuse to switch, calling out leaders by name. Another says Black and Latino students have been left behind too long because no one held the system accountable. The plan? Teach kids not just to read the words, but to explain them clearly.Phones and screens are another headache. Some say schools should lock phones away from bell to bell. Others want gentle limits in middle school and strict rules in elementary grades. They argue that without structure, devices eat up class time and hurt focus. A couple of candidates also worry about artificial intelligence. They want statewide rules so AI helps teachers without replacing them. Safety, data privacy, and a focus on thinking skills top their lists. Schools have also faced disruptions from COVID shutdowns and immigration sweeps near campuses. Candidates suggest keeping learning flexible, protecting student privacy, and offering mental-health support. One candidate even wants to change how schools count money, switching from attendance to enrollment so dollars follow students. Vaccines are on the table too. The state still follows strict childhood schedules. Candidates say they will enforce the law fairly, but they also promise respectful talks with worried parents. They plan to share clear, multi-language facts so families can make informed choices.