League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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Grace H. Mah
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![[photo]](mah_g.jpg)
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This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/scl/ for current information. |
League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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Grace H. Mah
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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?
As the incumbent Santa Clara County School Board Member for Trustee Area 1, I have attended school board meetings for Sunnyvale School District, Mountain View Whisman School District, Palo Alto Unified School District, and Mountain View Los Alto High School District. I have met all four superintendents of these school district.For the 27,000 students which are in the County Office of Education's schools and sites, I have been a member of the preschool Head Start Policy Committee, visited special education schools for the severely disabled and juvenile correctional facilities for our incarcerated youth.
My work on the board included trainings and conferences:
I have over 18 years experience in customer-focused high tech problem solving, financial budgeting, and contract negotiations.
- California School Board Association Legislative Action Conference, in Sacramento, lobbying with our state legislators and advocating for Santa Clara County education issues (and a state budget!)
- Celebrating Educational Opportunities for Hispanic Students Conference, where I learned of best practices in other county offices of education about outreach programs for the needs of the fastest growing segment of our student population, Hispanic youth.
- And more...
2. What changes, if any, would you recommend in the County's special education programs?
The County's Special Education Department operates special day classrooms at 98 school sites throughout Santa Clara County, providing services for infants, children, and youth with severe and low incidence disabilities from birth to 22 years of age. These children live at home, in licensed children's institutions or at the local state hospital, and are served more effectively by the comprehensive programs offered by the Santa Clara County Office of Education.The state and federal mandates for special education imposed on the County Office of Education and local school districts are unfunded. The encroachment on operating general funds is constantly undermining the priorities and budgeting strategies for school districts.
Special education financing needs to be reformed. See the "Getting Down to Facts" recommendation study on Special Education:
3. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools?
The County Board of Education hears appeals on charter schools which have been denied by their local school district. If an appeal is granted the County Office of Education becomes the authorizer for the charter school and has oversight for the school's financing and operation.
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).
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 6, 2008 18:10
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