Delaine Eastin
Encyclopedia
Delaine Eastin is an American
politician
. She served as the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
from 1995 to 2003. A native Californian, Eastin received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Davis
, and her master's degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara
. After teaching political science
and women's studies
for seven years, Eastin served as a corporate manager for Pacific Telesis Group, a position she held until her election to the State Assembly
. Eastin now lives in Davis
. Prior to her election as State Superintendent, Eastin served four terms in the State Assembly representing parts of Alameda
and Santa Clara
counties, and chaired the Assembly Committee on Education. She is a member of the Democratic Party
. Eastin was unable to run for a third term in 2002 due to term limits
and was succeeded by former state senator Jack O'Connell
.
On November 8, 1994, Eastin was elected to a four-year term as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, becoming the highest ranking official in California's elementary and secondary public school system and the first woman to be elected State Superintendent.
Upon taking office, Eastin made class size reduction her top priority. Her advocacy persuaded the Governor
and the legislature to invest $2.5 billion in cutting class sizes. Today, K-3 class sizes have been cut from 30 to 20 students in over 86,000 classrooms in 98% of all school districts.
In response to declining student performance, State Superintendent Eastin led the adoption of high statewide academic standards in reading and math. High standards in science and social studies
are currently being adopted. Eastin also implemented a new statewide test and established a new system to increase the accountability of every school and district in the state.
In the fall of 1995, Superintendent Eastin launched the "Challenge Initiative," a groundbreaking reform effort to raise standards and accountability. Fifty-six school districts, covering nearly 500,000 students, embraced the Challenge and agreed to set high standards for every subject area in all grade levels.
During her first term, Eastin cut administrative waste by streamlining contracting procedures in the Department of Education and by standardizing accounting procedures. She also established the California
Education Technology Task Force to craft a statewide plan to increase student access to technology in the classroom http://www.smartvoter.org/1998nov/ca/state/vote/eastin_d/bio.html.
outlined court actions relating to controversial use of state funding by Eastin's department. In the early 1990s California's Department of Education gave millions of dollars in federal funds to some community groups; it was subsequently alleged by departmental civil servants that "much of the money was siphoned off by executives of the supposedly non-profit groups for purposes such as their own salaries and expensive cars", and that this was due to their political connections with Eastin and members of the California State Legislature
. When a group of state officials discovered the discrepancies, they publicized their findings, but suffered demotion
s or letters of reprimand as a result. Eventually, a federal lawsuit was filed against the department, leading to the eventual refund of $3.3 million from the state to the federal government and the prosecution of some of the community group leaders involved. James Lindberg, one of the state employees who publicized the discrepancies, later sued Eastin, Joan Polster and the Department of Education alleging that he was constructively discharged. A Sacramento County Superior Court jury awarded $4.5 million in compensatory damages. A separate punitive damage award against Eastin was thrown out by the trial judge, and the compensatory damage award was reversed by the court of appeal. A second jury trial increased the compensatory damage award to $7.6 million. However, while the appeal from that award was pending, the parties reached a settlement in which the Department of Education paid $4.25 million in exchange for a full release of all claims. The Department was criticized for spending state funds on fighting these lawsuits.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. She served as the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction of California is the nonpartisan elected executive officer of the California Department of Education. The SPI directs all functions of the Department of Education and executes policies set by the California State Board of Education...
from 1995 to 2003. A native Californian, Eastin received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public teaching and research university established in 1905 and located in Davis, California, USA. Spanning over , the campus is the largest within the University of California system and third largest by enrollment...
, and her master's degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
. After teaching political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and women's studies
Women's studies
Women's studies, also known as feminist studies, is an interdisciplinary academic field which explores politics, society and history from an intersectional, multicultural women's perspective...
for seven years, Eastin served as a corporate manager for Pacific Telesis Group, a position she held until her election to the State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
. Eastin now lives in Davis
Davis, California
Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Prior to her election as State Superintendent, Eastin served four terms in the State Assembly representing parts of Alameda
Alameda County, California
Alameda County is a county in the U.S. state of California. It occupies most of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 1,510,271, making it the 7th most populous county in the state...
and Santa Clara
Santa Clara County, California
Santa Clara County is a county located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 it had a population of 1,781,642. The county seat is San Jose. The highly urbanized Santa Clara Valley within Santa Clara County is also known as Silicon Valley...
counties, and chaired the Assembly Committee on Education. She is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. Eastin was unable to run for a third term in 2002 due to term limits
Term limits in the United States
Term limits in the United States apply to many offices at both the federal and state level, and date back to the American Revolution.-Pre-constitution:...
and was succeeded by former state senator Jack O'Connell
Jack O'Connell
Jack T. O'Connell is an American politician and the former 26th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been elected to the post in November 2002 with 61% of the vote. He was re-elected to his post by receiving a majority of the vote in the Primary election on June 6, 2006,...
.
On November 8, 1994, Eastin was elected to a four-year term as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, becoming the highest ranking official in California's elementary and secondary public school system and the first woman to be elected State Superintendent.
Upon taking office, Eastin made class size reduction her top priority. Her advocacy persuaded the Governor
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
and the legislature to invest $2.5 billion in cutting class sizes. Today, K-3 class sizes have been cut from 30 to 20 students in over 86,000 classrooms in 98% of all school districts.
In response to declining student performance, State Superintendent Eastin led the adoption of high statewide academic standards in reading and math. High standards in science and social studies
Social studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
are currently being adopted. Eastin also implemented a new statewide test and established a new system to increase the accountability of every school and district in the state.
In the fall of 1995, Superintendent Eastin launched the "Challenge Initiative," a groundbreaking reform effort to raise standards and accountability. Fifty-six school districts, covering nearly 500,000 students, embraced the Challenge and agreed to set high standards for every subject area in all grade levels.
During her first term, Eastin cut administrative waste by streamlining contracting procedures in the Department of Education and by standardizing accounting procedures. She also established the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Education Technology Task Force to craft a statewide plan to increase student access to technology in the classroom http://www.smartvoter.org/1998nov/ca/state/vote/eastin_d/bio.html.
Court actions
In June 2007, a report by Dan Walters of the San Jose Mercury NewsSan Jose Mercury News
The San Jose Mercury News is a daily newspaper in San Jose, California. On its web site, however, it calls itself Silicon Valley Mercury News. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group...
outlined court actions relating to controversial use of state funding by Eastin's department. In the early 1990s California's Department of Education gave millions of dollars in federal funds to some community groups; it was subsequently alleged by departmental civil servants that "much of the money was siphoned off by executives of the supposedly non-profit groups for purposes such as their own salaries and expensive cars", and that this was due to their political connections with Eastin and members of the California State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
. When a group of state officials discovered the discrepancies, they publicized their findings, but suffered demotion
Demotion
A demotion is a reduction in an employee's rank or job title within the organizational hierarchy of a company, public service department, or other body. A demotion may also lead to the loss of other privileges associated with a more senior rank and/or a reduction in salary or benefits...
s or letters of reprimand as a result. Eventually, a federal lawsuit was filed against the department, leading to the eventual refund of $3.3 million from the state to the federal government and the prosecution of some of the community group leaders involved. James Lindberg, one of the state employees who publicized the discrepancies, later sued Eastin, Joan Polster and the Department of Education alleging that he was constructively discharged. A Sacramento County Superior Court jury awarded $4.5 million in compensatory damages. A separate punitive damage award against Eastin was thrown out by the trial judge, and the compensatory damage award was reversed by the court of appeal. A second jury trial increased the compensatory damage award to $7.6 million. However, while the appeal from that award was pending, the parties reached a settlement in which the Department of Education paid $4.25 million in exchange for a full release of all claims. The Department was criticized for spending state funds on fighting these lawsuits.