Issues
School Safety
Every student deserves to feel safe at school. Nothing is more important than protecting the well-being of our children and the teachers and staff who support them.
Orange County schools serve more than 429,000 public school students, and maintaining safe campuses requires strong leadership, preparation, and coordination across districts. Safety must always come first.
Dr. Lisa Sparks is committed to ensuring that every school in Orange County prioritizes:
- Strong and updated campus safety plans.
- Coordination between schools, first responders, and local law enforcement.
- Early intervention and prevention programs.
- Mental health resources that help students before problems escalate.
When students feel safe and supported, they are able to focus on learning, growing, and reaching their full potential.
Academic Achievement
Orange County students are among the highest-performing in California, but there is always more work to do.
Recent statewide assessments show that 59% of Orange County students meet or exceed English language standards and 49% meet or exceed math standards, both significantly higher than statewide averages.
Dr. Sparks believes our goal must be simple and clear: every child deserves an excellent education that prepares them for the future.
Her priorities include:
- Strengthening reading, writing, math, and science instruction.
- Supporting teachers with the tools and resources they need to succeed.
- Promoting innovation and academic excellence across all schools.
- Ensuring transparency and accountability for student outcomes.
A strong education system is the foundation for economic opportunity, community prosperity, and the success of the next generation.
School Choice
Every child learns differently, and families deserve the freedom to choose the educational environment that works best for their children.
Orange County offers a wide range of educational opportunities — from traditional public schools to magnet programs and public charter schools — serving hundreds of thousands of students across the county.
Dr. Sparks strongly supports empowering parents with meaningful public school choices so they can find the right fit for their child’s needs and interests.
School choice:
- Encourages innovation and new educational models.
- Creates specialized programs in STEM, arts, and career pathways.
- Gives families greater control over their children’s education.
When parents have options, students benefit and schools are encouraged to continually improve.
Supporting High-Quality Public Charter Schools
Public charter schools are an important part of California’s public education system and provide families with additional opportunities for their children.
When local districts deny charter petitions, the Orange County Board of Education has the responsibility to review those applications and ensure that strong schools have the opportunity to serve students.
Dr. Sparks supports high-quality public charter schools that deliver results for students and operate with transparency and accountability.
Strong public charter schools can:
- Provide innovative approaches to learning.
- Offer specialized programs not available in traditional settings.
- Expand opportunities for families seeking alternatives.
The focus should always remain on quality, accountability, and student success.
Keeping Politics Out of the Classroom
Parents send their children to school to learn — not to be exposed to political agendas.
Dr. Sparks believes classrooms should focus on academic excellence, critical thinking, and preparing students for the future, while ensuring parents have transparency about what their children are learning.
Her approach emphasizes:
- Strong academic fundamentals.
- Parental involvement and curriculum transparency.
- Respectful discussion of history and civic topics.
- A learning environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds.
Schools should be places where students gain knowledge, build character, and develop the skills needed to succeed in life.