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KCBS In Depth: New SF Schools Chief Outlines Philosophy

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Building on diversity in the classroom rather than focusing on its challenges is a cornerstone of teaching practices in San Francisco schools. That's a philosophy the new Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District, Richard Carranza, intends to keep in place.

There will likely be very little in the way of a learning curve for Carranza, who spent eight years as the deputy to now-retired superintendent Carlos Garcia before taking the reins himself.

SFUSD Superintendent Richard Carranza

Language immersion programs are a top priority for the district, and Carranza in particular - along with art and music. He describes that element of the curriculum as crucial to a well-rounded education. Still, he acknowledges the difficulty in maintain such a curriculum in tough economic times.

"By far the most talented teaching core of any district that I've worked in is in San Francisco," he declared. "So we have a tremendous asset, our people, that we can build on."

He also tips his hat to San Francisco voters for approving a 2008 bond measure for financing the recruitment and retention of multi-talented instructors.

You can hear KCBS In Depth, a weekly half-hour news interview, Saturdays at 5:30a.m. and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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