Sen. Jack O'Connell Receives National Children's Award, California School Psychologists' Endorsement

Business Wire, August 15, 2002

News Editors and Education Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2002

State Sen. Jack O'Connell, D-San Luis Obispo, received the prestigious Special Friend of Children Award from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Nominated for the award by the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP), O'Connell was selected for the distinguished award for his "outstanding contributions to the improvement of California's education and mental health services for children, youth and their families."

The CASP Board of Directors has also endorsed O'Connell in the election for California Superintendent of Public Instruction, which will be decided by voters in November.

"Jack O'Connell has proven that he is committed to excellence in education," said Brent Duncan, president of CASP. "He understands that for every child to succeed the schools need not only teachers, but resource specialists, counselors, school psychologists, school nurses and many other service providers."

A former high school teacher, O'Connell's legislative portfolio has always stressed education improvement. He authored California's landmark class size reduction program, which has served as a national model. He has authored many other landmark pieces of legislation in his 20-year legislative career that resulted in increasing teacher salaries, ensuring education funding as California's highest priority and establishing Cal Grants for those pursuing teaching credentials.

The NASP Special Friend of Children Award is given to individuals or groups outside the school psychology profession who have nationally supported political action and advocacy on behalf of children to improve education and mental health services for children, youth and families. The awardees have worked to make systemic changes in policies that govern the provision of education and mental health services at the state and national level.

With nearly 3,000 members, CASP is the largest statewide school psychology association in the nation. Headquartered in Sacramento, CASP works to ensure that all students learn in an educationally and psychologically healthy environment.