State Superintendent Kicks Off Education Summit

Retired Judge Charles Field, right, accepts the first annual Education Leadership Award from Dr. David Long, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, during the Riverside County Education Summit in October 2004.

Riverside County education leaders gathered Thursday at the Education Summit in Palm Springs and called for renewed commitment to improving student achievement to meet tough state standards even though state money is dwindling, school populations are soaring, and many new students are still learning English.

More than 250 members attended.

“We have a single focus in Riverside County, and that is the welfare of children,” Long said. O’Connell challenged the group to “stay the course” and continue helping students succeed. Riverside County, he said, was known for outpacing the growth in test scores statewide.