Graduation requirements, curriculum and testing

By Susan F. Schmidt

I support the movement toward small learning communities within schools and support the many programs of this nature that the District currently has in place. I have been impressed with the choices that currently exist for students and will continue to support alternative programs such as the Drake Academies and the alternative high school programs at San Andreas and Tamiscal. I support district goals to provide more choice for students, expansion of workplace learning opportunities, and greater support for at-risk students.

I prefer the locally developed "authentic" assessments to standardized statewide assessments, but respect the oath administered to board members to uphold the law. Current law directs administration of the Star tests and high school exit exams. I'm heartened that the word from Sacramento seems to be that the tests are moving in the direction of closer alignment with the curriculum and look forward to the day when the quantity and redundancy of tests can be significantly diminished.

Meeting the needs of the many legitimate competing interests within a school district, with limited resources, poses some of the biggest challenges for trustees. These will be particularly challenging years ahead as we face an economic recession, it's implications for the school budget, a superintendent search, the impact of the introduction of the high school exit exam, and construction on all campuses. I believe this is a time for balanced, experienced, committed leadership and that I bring this to the board.