Richard Barrera, a candidate for California state superintendent, drew sharp criticism after telling university faculty that their role includes teaching students who arrive without foundational math skills. The comments came during a Sunday interview with NBC Los Angeles reporter Conan Nolan, where Barrera firmly rejected the idea of restoring standardized testing requirements for the University of California system.
Barrera, who serves as president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education and as a senior policy advisor to state superintendent Tony Thurmond, argued that concerns about incoming students being unable to perform basic math were completely overstated. He stated that many students simply need review in subjects they had not studied recently, such as algebra or trigonometry. Barrera contended that it is the responsibility of UC institutions to help these students accelerate their learning rather than excluding them based on prior performance.
His opponent in the November race, Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board, accused Barrera of shifting blame away from the K-12 education system. Shaw argued that Barrera’s response amounted to forcing college faculty to teach remedial middle-school math on taxpayer money. She described his stance as a scramble to cover up failures within the current educational structure, noting that he blamed professors rather than the system that prepared the students.
Corey DeAngelis, a research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, suggested that Barrera’s opposition to standardized testing shields California’s schools from accountability. DeAngelis pointed out that the California Teachers Association is funding Barrera’s campaign and accused him of protecting the system from scrutiny. He cited state testing data showing that only 30.49% of 11th graders met or exceeded standards in mathematics in the 2024-25 school year, compared with 56.96% in English language arts. DeAngelis argued these figures indicate a systemic failure to ensure mastery before graduation, rather than a need for post-enrollment catch-up.
Tina Descovich, CEO and co-founder of Moms for Liberty, echoed these concerns, stating that a child who cannot do fractions at age 18 was likely struggling at age 10. She criticized Barrera for making university professors responsible for fixing gaps that developed years earlier in primary and secondary education. Descovich asserted that parents have watched their children be passed along through the system without mastering core skills.
Barrera defended his position by highlighting the barriers faced by first-generation students and those overcoming significant obstacles to reach elite campuses. He emphasized that these students are capable of learning quickly and need support rather than exclusion. He further argued that standardized tests like the SAT have historically excluded students of color and first-generation applicants, making them irrelevant tools for improving college preparedness.
The controversy follows an open letter signed by more than 1,400 faculty members calling for the restoration of SAT and ACT math requirements for STEM applicants. By August, more than 3,000 faculty members had signed letters expressing concern about academic preparation levels. While the UC Board of Regents currently prohibits the use of standardized test scores in admissions, the system is formally reconsidering its policy. Barrera maintains that the focus should remain on strategies to prepare students for college-level math within the K-12 system rather than reinstating exams he views as discriminatory.