League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Vance Vuong Answers Questions Candidate for Board Member; Milpitas Unified School District

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. How would you determine that the schools are using federal, state and local funds wisely and fairly and how would you report your findings to the community?

I have confidence in the judgments of our Superintendent, accountants and controller. The District's financial state and the disbursement of funds are well documented. Various reports are regularly presented at Board meetings and, later, on District's website. There are also two oversight committees for Measures B and E. If elected, I would work closely with other Board members, administrators and principals to evaluate each school's needs and programs.

2. Are the schools offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all the students?

All students should be required to meet standards that would provide them with a certain level of proficiency. The top and average students need more challenging projects. The below-average students need more counseling and active tutoring.

3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there?

The District would no longer be classified as Program Improvement.

Our students' achievement is a direct result of the quality of instructions, assignments, tests, parents' involvement, and Board's policies. Here are my practical plans for boosting our children's proficiency.

• Foster digital learning: uses of computers and online interactive tools increase student performance and teacher productivity.
• Create a Science Field Trip Program: select juniors & seniors take field trips to partnered hi-tech firms.
• Expand tutoring programs: top juniors & seniors tutor struggling students or English-language learners -- community service credits for tutors, higher test scores for students, savings for the district.
• Move the school year to mid-August: more instruction time before students take state achievement tests, AP and college-entrance exams.
• Make plans for a new elementary school; ensure no cost overruns.
• Cooperate with City Council on shared obligations.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 2, 2012 10:07
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