The Future of K-12 Public Education in CA: A Candidate Forum for Assembly District 21
Presented by The Palo Alto Unified School District and The Media Center
(Scroll down to nineteen video clips.)
Vote for One Candidate:
Josh Becker
Rich Gordon
Yoriko Kishimoto
Taped on May 8, 2010
Videographer: Daniel Gomez
Introduction by Camille Townsend, PAUSD Board Member
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Candidate Opening Statments
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What is your position on the role of charter schools and vouchers in CA? Please explain.
How will we know that education is your priority?
Do you think California should participate in the Common Core Standards effort, and if it would be desirable in the context of current standards in California?
What are the biggest issues facing Special Ed?
What should the Assembly do to reverse the sharp decline in California's education ranking nationwide?
What committees will you try for?
Please address the issue around recruitment and retention of quality teachers and what the state could be doing in that area?
Should textbooks deal with biological evolution?"
How do you plan to tackle the financial burden of retirement packages for school employees?
If you could comment on your best & worst experience in K-12 what would those be? How does that flavor your approach to education policy today?
What do you think about getting rid of CA Standard Testing?
Should schools take on social problems like obesity & teen pregnancy?
Should we change the tenure system of teachers?
Is there a need for state tax reform?
Can we incorporate high tech into classrooms/curriculum?
The state legislature keeps passing laws that force local governments to build more high density housing without regard to impacts on local schools. How would you approach such legislation as an Assembly member?