Tony Thurmond

Tony Thurmond, California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, leads the nation’s largest public school system, serving over 5.8 million students. Since taking office, he has championed historic investments, legislation and initiatives to close achievement gaps and promote access and opportunity for all of California’s students.

Amid the pandemic, he ensured connectivity for millions of students for remote learning, distributed nearly a billion meals, provided mental health services and secured $6.6 billion for school reopening.

In his second term, Superintendent Thurmond has tripled the amount of per-pupil funding from a decade ago and has focused these investments on transforming California's publics schools. Focusing on critical needs, his initiatives include funding community schools, launching universal meal programs, universal TK and a reading by 3rd grade initiative.

Recognizing the importance of real-world experience in shaping students' futures, throughout his public service, he has worked to diversify the tech industry and advocated for equitable access to STEM and CS Courses for more girls and students of color.

Thurmond is an educator, social worker and public-school parent and in his 18 years of public service he has served as a city council member, school board trustee and State Assembly Member.

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