CA: Governor appoints president of Hispanic university to state board

San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | July 11, 2006

[calcowgirl]

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday appointed the president of a San Jose Hispanic university to the state Board of Education. David Lopez, 53, replaces the former board president, who resigned unexpectedly June 30.

Lopez has been president of National Hispanic University since 2003. The school's goal is to increase college attendance of Hispanics and other typically underserved students.

Schwarzenegger has been trying to shore up support among Hispanic voters as he seeks re-election. Also Tuesday, his campaign announced the formation of “Hispanic Families for Arnold,” a group of more than 60 Hispanic community leaders who support his re-election.

The governor also has backed the expansion of charter schools, which receive public funding but typically are freed from some administrative burdens and offer alternative approaches to education. National Hispanic University operates a charter high school, and Lopez becomes one of several Schwarzenegger appointees with charter school experience.

Lopez previously worked as an education professor and administrator at California State University, Fresno, and is registered as decline-to-state, the governor's office said.

Former board president Glee Johnson resigned in a letter to Schwarzenegger last month after two rancorous meetings during which the 11-member board split over several issues. Which learning materials are best for English learners and revisions to the state's plan to comply with provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act were among the debates splitting the board.

Lopez planned to attend a board scheduled to begin Wednesday in Sacramento, although his appointment to the four-year term requires Senate confirmation. Board members are expected to select a new president to succeed Johnson.

[calcowgirl]

GAAS:438:06
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07/11/2006

Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints Dr. David Lopez to the State Board of Education

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Dr. David P. Lopez to the State Board of Education.

"Education has been a top priority for my Administration. Dr. Lopez's unique background will make him a valuable asset to California's public school students," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "His innovative work at the National Hispanic University has enhanced the university's reputation as a premier institution of higher learning. I look forward to working with Dr. Lopez to use his vast experience which will benefit our students."

Since 2003, Dr. Lopez has served as President of the National Hispanic University in San Jose, which was established over twenty years ago to provide accessible and affordable quality education for Hispanics and other economically marginalized, underserved and underutilized students. The school also runs a charter high school on its campus. From 1981 to 2003, he served as a professor and administrator for California State University, Fresno at the School of Education and Human Development. From 1978 to 1981, he taught at the College of Education at New Mexico State University.

"I am proud to work with the Governor to continue his efforts to close the achievement gap at historically under-performing schools," said Lopez. "I share the Governor's vision to ensure all public school students have the same opportunities for success so we can meet the future workforce needs of our state."

Lopez, Ed.D., 53, of San Jose, earned his Doctorate in Education with a concentration on curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University. He earned a Master's Degree in educational administration from New Mexico Highlands University and a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the University of New Mexico. Members of the State Board of Education must be confirmed by the Senate and the compensation for the position is $100 per diem. Lopez is registered decline-to-state.

The State Board of Education (SBE) is the governing and policy-determining body of the California Department of Education. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who heads the CDE, also serves as the SBE's executive officer and secretary. The SBE sets K-12 education policy in the areas of standards, curriculum, instructional materials and assessment. The SBE also adopts textbooks for use in grades K-8, and it adopts regulations to implement legislation. In addition, the SBE has the authority to grant local education agency requests for waivers of the state Education Code. The SBE has 11 members, ten of whom are appointed by the Governor and serve four-year terms, and a student member, who serves a one-year term.

[calcowgirl]

Dr. David P. Lopez and Gov. Schwarzenegger
at the 2006 National Council of La Raza Annual Conference in Los Angeles, CA.

[Uncle Hal]

Nothing like the power of the incumbent.

[bordergal]

"to provide accessible and affordable quality education for Hispanics and other economically marginalized, underserved and underutilized students".

In other words, if you can't get admission to a real school, come here!

[calcowgirl]

National Hispanic University--listed as an affiliate of the National Council of La Raza:

http://www.nclr.org/content/affiliates/detail/27317/

National Hispanic University
Region: California

Contact Info 14271 Story Road
San Jose, CA 95127
Phone: (408) 273-2712
Fax: (408) 254-6914

Topic: Education
Program: Field Advocacy Project

With an enrollment of over 700 students, the National Hispanic University (NHU) continues a 23-year tradition of empowerment through education. NHU offers degree programs in Liberal Studies, Business, and Computer Science in addition to Teacher Credentialing and a certificate program in Translation and Interpretation. The university offers a small class setting, caring faculty, and a network of support systems tailored to meet the learning needs of its students. NHU continues to be a leading producer of bilingual credentialed teachers in California, working in over 17 regional school districts. In addition to its university degree programs, NHU has a ladder of academic programs beginning at 6th grade and going through a college degree. NHU Pre-College Program serves 1,400 youth in grades 6 through 12, providing them with year round services including academic advising, tutoring, college and career exploration, learning skill workshops, parent workshops, college readiness classes, summer residential programs, and Saturday school. In 2001, NHU expanded its Pre-College Initiative with the establishment of the Latino College Preparatory Academy (LCPA), a charter high school for English language learning students. Today, the 400 student, 9-12 college preparatory high school delivers a dual language approach to learning that builds reading and writing skills in both languages. LCPA students are on an 8-year track to a college degree at the National Hispanic University, and the first charter school students will enter NHU in the fall of 2005.