California · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on education?
- Xavier BecerraDemocrat
- Steve HiltonRepublican
Part of the full California Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Education
Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.
Documented positions
Xavier Becerra
Endorses Proposition 3's school funding; CalMatters reported he had released no major education plan; in the debate he backed grade-level checks, tutoring, earlier schooling and treating teachers as professionals.
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- Public statementJuly 31, 2026
Endorsed Proposition 3, the California Children's Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2026, which would make higher state income tax rates for high earners permanent to fund schools. CalMatters reported in September 2026 that he had not released any major education policy proposals. 3 sourcesBecerra announces positions on key November ballot measures (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · July 31, 2026 · CampaignBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · NewsWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Public statementSept. 30, 2026
In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate, said teachers should be treated like professionals and are underpaid, attributed school problems to too many compliance requirements, and said students should be at grade level before being passed on, with tutoring and earlier preparation such as transitional kindergarten. SourceBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
- Public statementJuly 31, 2026
Endorsed Proposition 3, the California Children's Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2026, which would make higher state income tax rates for high earners permanent to fund schools. CalMatters reported in September 2026 that he had not released any major education policy proposals. 3 sourcesBecerra announces positions on key November ballot measures (opens in a new tab)Becerra for Governor 2026 · July 31, 2026 · CampaignBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · NewsWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Public statementSept. 30, 2026
In the Sept. 30, 2026 debate, said teachers should be treated like professionals and are underpaid, attributed school problems to too many compliance requirements, and said students should be at grade level before being passed on, with tutoring and earlier preparation such as transitional kindergarten. SourceBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
Sets a goal that all students meet state math and English standards; supports phonics, third-grade reading retention, charter conversions and public funding for private-school options.
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- Campaign proposalApril 8, 2026
His campaign website said in April 2026 that his goal is for 100% of students to meet state math and English standards, through a grade for every school and teacher, rewarding effective teachers and making it possible to remove "incompetent teachers", expanded "parent trigger" laws, protecting charter schools and, over time, school choice. SourceSteve Hilton (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
- Campaign proposal2026
Supports phonics instruction and holding back third graders who are not reading at grade level, making it easier for districts to fire teachers and for parents to petition to convert schools to charters, and using public funds to let students in underperforming districts attend private schools or other districts. SourceWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalApril 8, 2026
His campaign website said in April 2026 that his goal is for 100% of students to meet state math and English standards, through a grade for every school and teacher, rewarding effective teachers and making it possible to remove "incompetent teachers", expanded "parent trigger" laws, protecting charter schools and, over time, school choice. SourceSteve Hilton (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
- Campaign proposal2026
Supports phonics instruction and holding back third graders who are not reading at grade level, making it easier for districts to fire teachers and for parents to petition to convert schools to charters, and using public funds to let students in underperforming districts attend private schools or other districts. SourceWho are the 2026 California governor candidates? (opens in a new tab)CalMatters · Sept. 29, 2026 · News
In their own words
Statements
Xavier Becerra
Teachers and school performance
I believe that the people who are supposed to train our kids should be treated like professionals. They are underpaid compared to professionals with similar education levels
Xavier Becerra · General-election debate with Steve Hilton, hosted by CNN in Burbank, responding to Hilton on education policy, as reported in CNN's live debate coverage · Sept. 30, 2026
SourceBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
Steve Hilton
Reading, phonics and school accountability
We need reform and change. We need to make sure that every student reads by third grade. We need to use phonics in our school system to teach kids to read. We need accountability for teachers and for individual schools
Steve Hilton · General-election debate with Xavier Becerra, hosted by CNN in Burbank, in the exchange on education policy, as reported in CNN's live debate coverage · Sept. 30, 2026
SourceBecerra and Hilton clash over taxes, AI and immigration during the CNN California governor debate (opens in a new tab)CNN · Sept. 30, 2026 · News
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