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Orange County, CA November 5, 2002 Election
Smart Voter

Raising Expectations

By Harald G. Martin

Candidate for Board Member; Anaheim Union High School District

This information is provided by the candidate
Raising expectations of educational quality is demanding of all members of the school system.
I have been a school board member since 1994. Since that time, I have been agressively pursuing higher standards for our school system. At times I have felt like I have been trying to steer the Queen Mary with a soda straw. I have learned that by trying to do too much, too quickly, the system tends to grind to a halt and nothing gets accomplished. I have since learned to take small bites and things are readily being accomplished.

AUHSD is a leader in California in regards to raising expectations and standards. When we went to a 2.0 GPA requirement for promotion from Jr. High to High School and as a graduation requirement, there was a great deal of concern for those who would not make it. However, by holding fast to the idea that it was the adults who had lowered expectations too far, the 2.0 GPA requirements were maintained. It was successful. Students who were getting D's and F's raised their willingnes to work and began getting A's and B's. When asked about why these students were doing so much better, they replied that they didn't believe that we would hold to the higher standards, but once we did they knew they would have to do the work to get promoted or graduate.

Everyone in the district learned a great lessson. We will get what we expect. So we must all raise our expectations and standards. No more coddling. School is a place of work and education requires effort, from all of us.

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ca/or Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 5, 2002 15:16
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