Former state senator Josh Newman says he’ll push literacy, math and science, expand year-round learning, and build stronger career pathways if elected state superintendent.
A superintendent built around literacy, math and science
Josh Newman, a former California state senator, is running for state superintendent of public instruction with a clear message: improve student outcomes in literacy, math and science, then connect schools more tightly to the real-world routines students will face after graduation.
His campaign frames the job not just as overseeing education programs. but as reshaping how the California Department of Education works with districts and charter schools—moving toward a more “collaborative. proactive” partner instead of what Newman characterizes as a compliance-focused agency.. That emphasis on relationship-building is central to his pitch to voters in the June 2 California Primary Election.
For families, the stakes are practical and immediate.. Literacy and math progress often determine whether students can keep up in later grades. while science learning shapes everything from course choices to postsecondary readiness.. When education leaders talk about “outcomes. ” they’re usually pointing to the day-to-day question parents feel most: can schools help children learn what comes next?
From Sacramento politics to the education system’s day-to-day
Newman served as chair of the Senate Education Committee for two years during the 2023-24 legislative session. and he has continued to work on policy through his role as a senior fellow at UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology.. In interviews. he argues that legislative experience matters—especially in a year when California will elect a new governor and education policy is likely to shift.
He also positions his political track record as a bridge between state priorities and local implementation.. According to Newman. the superintendent needs not only an understanding of the education ecosystem. but also a deeper grasp of how the legislative world operates—how bills get shaped. negotiated. and funded.
That framing matters for a state as large and diverse as California. where districts face different constraints: staffing shortages. transportation challenges. uneven access to advanced coursework. and varying local capacity to run programs like career pathways or extended learning.. Newman’s argument is that state leadership has to anticipate those differences rather than react late.
Part of his strategy is to bring in local expertise in a more structured way. In his view, there are “hundreds” of superintendents who want more direct consultation with the California Department of Education, but haven’t felt that relationship in recent years.
Why supporters say “listening” could be the missing piece
Michael Davies-Hughes. a county superintendent in Humboldt County. said he endorsed Newman after a private conversation and described Newman’s outreach to local educators as an early sign of how he would operate if elected.. Davies-Hughes emphasized that the state superintendent must have a “pulse” on conditions across regions. while also anticipating needs by working alongside regional and local leaders.
For education officials, this kind of support isn’t just symbolic.. The superintendent’s office influences whether districts and charter schools feel heard when policies are revised. whether guidance is timely. and whether new programs reflect on-the-ground realities.. When relationships break down, districts may rely on their own interpretations—sometimes leading to uneven implementation of state priorities.
Davies-Hughes also said he isn’t primarily concerned that Newman lacks direct experience inside day-to-day school operations.. Instead. he argues the most important trait is the willingness and ability to use the role effectively so students receive what they need—regardless of whether the leader’s background is a classroom. a district office. or the state Capitol.
For voters, that distinction is likely to land differently depending on what people believe the job should be: a technical manager of instructional resources, or a systems leader who can align policy, funding, and execution across California’s public education landscape.
Metrics, replication, and “scaling” what works
One of Newman’s most concrete ideas is the use of standard metrics to identify high-performing districts and then replicate best practices statewide. He argues that insights and innovations often exist in parts of the state, but don’t always spread broadly enough.
This approach is familiar in education policy—governments often say they want to “scale what works.” The difference with Newman’s pitch is the emphasis on replication as a deliberate statewide strategy rather than scattered improvement efforts.. If implemented carefully, metrics can help districts compare progress, identify effective strategies, and target support where students are falling behind.
But the challenge is also known: education outcomes depend on more than a single set of performance indicators.. District context—student demographics, local labor markets, community resources—can shape results.. Effective scaling usually requires more than copying programs; it requires building the capacity to run them and ensuring they can adapt to local needs.
Aligning school hours with life after the last bell
Newman’s second priority is aligning the school day with the workday. He suggests expanded learning programs that could run year-round from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., not just during the traditional school calendar.
That idea touches a real pressure many families describe: school schedules often don’t match the working hours of parents and guardians.. Extending learning time can also help districts address learning loss and provide additional instructional support—but it requires staffing. budgeting. transportation planning. and curriculum design that goes beyond simply keeping buildings open.
In practice, year-round models are not one-size-fits-all. Communities would need clear answers on how expanded hours interact with existing programs, how schools manage student enrollment and attendance, and how they maintain quality rather than turning extended time into supervision alone.
Career pathways: college, CTE, or both
Newman’s third priority focuses on career pathways that can lead to college, career technical education, or a blend of both. He argues that the economic environment is changing rapidly, and schools need policies and funding aligned to those shifts.
He has also pointed to the gap between having options for students and building a consistent policy consensus for funding them.. That tension is common across education systems: community colleges. workforce partners. and districts may all support dual enrollment or career programs. but coordination and funding formulas can lag behind student demand.
Newman said he introduced Senate Bill 1244 in 2024 to expand dual enrollment partnerships between school districts and community college districts. describing it as inspired by a conversation with his local superintendent.. He is endorsed by more than a dozen unions representing workers in multiple trades. including electrical. construction. and commercial and industrial insulation—signals that his career pathway agenda resonates with workforce stakeholders.
For students, stronger career pathways can mean more than job-focused coursework.. Done well. these programs can expand access to rigorous learning. internships. and credentials that make postsecondary transitions smoother—especially for students who don’t have family members with time or knowledge to navigate complex education systems.
Fundraising, but also the question of what the superintendent should be
Campaign dynamics are part of any election story, and Newman’s fundraising sits in the middle of the pack as of the end of March, with contributions of $1,000 or more totaling more than $247,000. Competitors range from relatively lower totals to nearly $1.2 million.
But beyond fundraising totals, this race may ultimately turn on what voters expect from the state superintendent.. Newman’s core argument is that the role should be collaborative. metric-driven. and deeply connected to both statewide policy and local execution.. His pitch also reflects a broader education debate: whether state agencies should focus primarily on compliance and oversight. or on partnership and proactive support.
As California prepares for a new gubernatorial administration and moves through a pivotal primary season, the superintendent choice could shape how quickly literacy, math and science goals translate into real classroom changes—and how consistently career pathways reach students across regions.
Researchers Told to Speak Up—But Can Education Data Survive?
AI in Learning: Making Struggle More Meaningful
Recovery boarding school in Fort Kent targets rising teen overdoses