Does crowning California’s governor the education czar mean academic results will improve?

July 12, 2026 - 01:10

California Governor Gavin Newsom has handed his successor an unusual new title: the state's education czar. But critics are asking whether this symbolic crown can actually lift academic performance in a state where test scores have flatlined and chronic absenteeism remains stubbornly high.

The move effectively consolidates power over California's sprawling school system under one elected official. While the governor already appoints the state board of education and controls the budget, the new designation formalizes a role that has long been shared between the state superintendent and the legislature. The onus will now fall on Newsom's successor, most likely Xavier Becerra, to become the new schools sheriff in town.

Supporters argue that a single point of accountability could cut through bureaucratic gridlock. They point to the state's $8 billion investment in universal transitional kindergarten and expanded after-school programs as proof that centralized leadership can deliver. But skeptics note that California still ranks near the bottom nationally in fourth-grade reading and math proficiency, despite spending more per pupil than most states.

The real test will be whether the czar can address deep-rooted issues like teacher shortages, housing instability that disrupts learning, and the lingering effects of pandemic school closures. Without concrete authority over local school boards or collective bargaining agreements, the title may amount to little more than a fancy nameplate on a desk in Sacramento. For now, parents and educators are watching to see if the new sheriff can actually make the grade.