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Questions
The League of Women Voters has made every effort to present accurately the candidates' responses as they were submitted.
1. What are the major issues facing the State School Board today?
See response to Question No. 2.
2. What is your position on these issues?
I strongly believe in public schools and, in particular, public school choice. In this regard, I believe there are currently many school choice options with the growth of charter schools and the recent liberalization of school transfer policies in many school districts throughout the state that provide students the option of attending different schools within a school district or in other school districts. Parental involvement is vital, and should be encouraged, at the school level.
I do not support the use of private-school vouchers because as an attorney, and from my experience in teaching Constitutional Law for eight years as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, I have serious concerns about the constitutionality of vouchers. In addition, in view of Utah's unique demographics of having on average larger families than in most other states, it is difficult to justify siphoning off scarce public funds to support private schools when our public schools are so inadequately funded.
I support charter schools as part of the public school landscape. Charter schools need regulation and oversight, but many charter schools have been successful because they have eliminated red tape. Charter schools must be given sufficient support and opportunities to succeed. In the future, I would like to see more charter schools under the oversight and regulation of local school districts, rather than the Utah State Board of Education. The Salt Lake City School District has had recent success in following this model.
Of primary importance today in public education is ensuring quality teachers, staff and administrators. Teacher compensation is particularly important. During the past three years, there has been a 19% increase in teacher compensation throughout the state of Utah. Further increases are needed to attract and retain quality teachers in public education. This is especially important in view of the high teacher turnover rate in our schools. Moreover, there is a great need to attract highly qualified ethnic minority teachers in our schools. Reducing the costs and simplifying the process of teacher licensure is also important.
Although more spending is required in the years ahead for teacher salaries and reduction in class size, reforms are also necessary. For example, policies that extend the school year for teachers should be considered. Differential pay to attract math and science teachers should also be considered. Care must be taken when implementing these new programs, however, to ensure that they are perceived as fair and equitable by teachers in general. Teacher working conditions must also be improved, including more effective teacher support, reduced class size and more available teaching materials.
The achievement gap of students with learning challenges is another concern in public education. Policies need to be developed and implemented to close the achievement gap. To this extent, research-based English Language Learner (ELL) strategies need to be identified and promoted for students from families in which English is a second language. The optional all-day kindergarten program is extremely important in addressing the achievement gap. Moreover, teachers should be paid more who teach in schools located in low-income areas with high minority populations. Summer learning programs should also be considered with respect to the achievement gap.
An overall goal of public education should be to improve the college readiness of all students. To this extent, the UPASS testing and accountability system needs to be refined and there must be improved review and monitoring of student achievement results. There seems to be an excessive amount of testing in public schools and, to this extent, there must be further study on the most effective testing and accountability system in which some testing might be eliminated.
A growing concern is the importance of meeting the needs of students through career and technical education programs. Effective applied technology programs that train students for jobs and careers in today's economy are important. It is important to recognize that more than two-thirds of today's jobs require some college or post-secondary education whereas only 20% of the jobs in 1950 required technical skills. I recognize the importance of career and technical education programs as a result of having previously served as a trustee of Salt Lake Community College and the Salt Lake/Tooele Applied Technology College.
Opponent:
Leslie Brooks Castle
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