New York: UC Berkeley professor Satish Rao has jumped in fray of the already crowded race for governor of California.
Rao, who teaches discrete mathematics, probability and pedagogy in the electrical engineering and computer sciences department, said his decision to run stems from growing frustration working in public education and public service.
“My research is optimization, to work on these problems, but those problems are really how the systems work to serve the people they're supposed to serve,” Rao told The Daily Californian.
Rao’s platform mainly centers on education reform and administrative efficiency.
Rao’s platforms also focus significantly on K-12 education. Drawing from his four years researching Berkeley High School, Rao criticized the state’s current curriculum, such as the 1,000-page California math framework.
Rao argues that the state’s focus on “magical” pedagogical theories has led to poor outcomes, noting that even students in states with fewer resources are currently outperforming California’s disadvantaged youth in reading.
For Rao, the campaign is less about political ambition and more about injecting “the truth” into public dialogue.
Rao is currently on sabbatical, allowing him to work on his gubernatorial campaign. The primary election will be held June 2.
