League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Anna E. Song Answers Questions Candidate for Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 5

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience and training would you bring to this office?

I have served for two terms on the County Board of Education, including a term as Board President. During my service I have led the legislative committee and the policy committee and I have represented the County Board for regional Head Start program overview. It takes a while for a Board member to understand the difference between a local school board and the County Board of Education. With eight years experience in reviewing appeals of charter school applications and student expulsions, as well as providing budget oversight, I believe I am well-prepared to continue to represent you at the County level.

2. What changes, if any, would you recommend in the County's special education programs?

The County Office of Education needs to work even more closely with local school district than the Office has in the past. Students with autism and other challenges need quality educational offerings that provide consistency for students and respect for parents, too. While the State Budget has provided uncertainty for many public school programs throughout California, students who need special education must receive priority funding so they have an opportunity to thrive.

3. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools?

State law is explicit that the County Board may not consider the local financial impact of charter school appeals after a local school board rejects an application. The County Board must review the quality of the application with regard to expectations of educational success, well-organized student recruitment and achievement benchmarks. Charter schools provide students and families a means of staying within the public school system while also providing local opportunities for educational choice. The role of the County Board is to consider charter appeals respectfully and within California law.

---

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: November 3, 2008 06:46
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.