16 Superintendents of Education Elections, Local Issues Highlighted Amid Progressive Advantage
We take a look at the trend toward field-centered education policies reshaped by the superintendent elections and a progressive advantage. Check out the key issues of basic academic skills, mental health, and AI education, as well as the future direction of education reform.
In the nationwide superintendent elections on June 3, candidates with progressive leanings won in 10 of the 16 cities and provinces, shifting the previously tight balance toward a progressive advantage.
This result shows that, rather than ideological battles over student rights ordinances or innovative schools as in the past, fieldoriented tasks such as basic academic achievement, student mental health, protection of teachers' authority, and artificial intelligence (AI) education have become more important. In the education sector, the policy gap between progressives and conservatives is also seen as having narrowed compared with before.
The winners are emphasizing closing the education gap, supporting mental health, and strengthening future education. As the superintendents' council is reorganized around a progressive orientation, there is also talk that if discussions on education finance and reforming the direct election system gain momentum, coordinated responses are likely to continue.