Achievement Gaps, Artificial Intelligence, and More: State Superintendent Hopefuls Detail Their Plans at Candidate Forums
April 24, 2026
Originally published by EdSource
California nears the June 2 Primary Election. The race for the next superintendent of public instruction grows vital. The superintendent will guide the education of nearly 6 million students. They will set policies that close achievement gaps, handle new technology, protect at-risk students, and run the public school system.
This week, six top candidates joined two EdSource virtual forums. They shared their plans and top priorities. The forums gave voters a close look at how the candidates plan to lead. Voters will decide in just six weeks.
The Candidates on Stage
The forums ran on two days:
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Tuesday’s Forum had Richard Barrera, a San Diego Unified School District Board Member; Josh Newman, a former State Senator; and Sonja Shaw, President of the Chino Valley Unified Board.
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Wednesday’s Forum featured Al Muratsuchi, a State Assemblymember; Anthony Rendon, a former Assembly Speaker; and Nichelle Henderson, a trustee for the Los Angeles Community College District.
No candidate currently holds more than 10% support. A Public Policy Institute of California survey shows that the race is wide open.
Addressing Achievement Gaps
The forums focused on California’s achievement gaps. Gaps hit students from Black, Latino, and low-income backgrounds harder. Each candidate showed ways to close these gaps.
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Josh Newman set forth a three-step plan. He will reform curricula to raise standards. He will boost teacher pay to keep quality educators. He will work to cut chronic absenteeism and bring students back.
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Al Muratsuchi pointed to his work with the Local Control Funding Formula. This law sends more funds to schools with many low-income students. He also pushed for better early education and access to quality childcare and preschool.
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Richard Barrera noted San Diego Unified’s strong results. Under his work, graduation rates rose from 45% to 70%. For Latino and Black students, graduation rates jumped from 25% to 70%.
Navigating Artificial Intelligence in Education
Candidates discussed artificial intelligence in classrooms. They had both concerns and hopes about AI.
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Sonja Shaw worried that AI may weaken students’ critical thinking. She wants clear research and careful monitoring. She suggested a study group to learn more about AI’s effects.
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Nichelle Henderson argued that schools must teach students how to use AI. She sees AI as key to future careers shaped by tech.
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Anthony Rendon mentioned New York’s plans that include teachers in AI policy talks. He called for a similar approach in California. He said teachers should work as partners when AI is used in schools.
Protecting LGBTQ+ Students
Candidates also shared views on protecting LGBTQ+ students. This topic comes after California passed the 2024 SAFETY Act. This law keeps school staff from sharing a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Richard Barrera praised current laws but saw gaps in protection across districts. He highlighted San Diego Unified’s work with Equality California. Their focus includes sexual health education and anti-bullying measures.
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Sonja Shaw opposed such partnerships. She said they promote “ideologies” that may risk student safety, especially for transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Shaw raised concerns about locker room safety. She has long opposed transgender participation in female athletics.
A dispute grew when Barrera mentioned a cease-and-desist letter. A mother of a transgender athlete sent it after she claimed Shaw’s district cyberbullied her child. Barrera stressed that leaders must support all California students, including transgender youth.
Later, Anthony Rendon said he hopes another candidate wins if he is not chosen. He warned that Shaw’s policies conflict with California’s long-held inclusive values.
Opposition to Restructuring the California Department of Education
Governor Newsom wants to shift control of the California Department of Education. He would transfer power from the elected superintendent to himself and the State Board of Education. All candidates oppose this plan.
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Sonja Shaw stressed that voters choose the superintendent to run the CDE—a role set in the state constitution.
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Richard Barrera recalled that voters have rejected similar ideas before. He described Newsom’s plan as an “end-around” of democracy.
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Josh Newman and Al Muratsuchi warned that moving authority away from the superintendent would lower accountability. They believe that such a change would weaken checks and balances.
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Anthony Rendon called the proposal “awful.” He said it could harm both schools and democracy during a time when democratic norms are threatened.
Nichelle Henderson has also opposed the governor’s plan in earlier remarks.
A Defining Election for California Education
The primary election is just weeks away. Voters face big choices about California’s education future. The candidates show different views on achievement gaps, technology, student protections, and governance reform. Voters need to stay informed.
EdSource will cover the 2026 election closely. They will continue to update Californians on where candidates stand on key education issues.
For more information and in-depth profiles of the candidates, visit EdSource’s 2026 election coverage page.
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