SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement regarding the selection of Senator Jack Scott as Chancellor of California Community Colleges:

"I am tremendously pleased with the California Community Colleges Board of Governors' selection of Senator Jack Scott as Chancellor for California Community Colleges. Senator Scott is a passionate advocate for the community college system. As the former president of two community colleges and chairman of legislative committees overseeing K-12 and higher education, Senator Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position of Chancellor. The students and faculty in our community colleges are lucky to have someone of his caliber leading the community college system.  

"California's community colleges are important partners in our work to close the achievement gap and to expand rigorous and relevant career technical education options for students. We also have just begun to work with all of California's higher education institutions as part of the American Diploma Project to better and more directly align the needs of our workforce, colleges, and universities with the expectations of our K-12 system. I look forward to working with Dr. Scott on these critical issues and on ways to improve educational opportunities for our students.

"I also want to take this opportunity to commend Interim Chancellor Diane Woodruff and thank her for her leadership during this period of transition. Chancellor Woodruff is a true champion for all California students and a leader in the work to better align the K-12 and community colleges systems. I appreciate her commitment to our students and our schools."