Saying that better schools are critical for California's prosperity, GOP gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari proposes changing the way education is funded, making traditional schools more like charters and increasing online learning.
"We must reject the status quo," the former U.S. Treasury official says in a 33-page policy paper set for release Tuesday.
He calls for money to be sent directly to the state's 10,000 public schools rather than to their districts. He would throw out much of the state's education code, which governs the operation of schools, and effectively allow most schools to operate under the same rules as charters.
He also calls for increased vocational education, longer school days and years, and merit pay for teachers.
"We can absolutely transform California's education system into a force that not only lifts student achievement but ultimately addresses income inequality and eradicates poverty from our communities," Kashkari's proposal says.
The plan is the second that the candidate has released; it follows a proposal for creating jobs. Kashkari's main GOP rival in the race, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Twin Peaks), has not released any policy proposals. Incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, periodically travels the state touting his accomplishments.