League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Sam Ho Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; San Jose Unified School District; Trustee Area 4

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?

To determine that SJUSD schools are using federal, state and local funds wisely and fairly, I would make sure that funds are used to enhance the well-being and academic achievement of students, and the livelihood and professional development of teachers and staff. In order to make sure that funds are used efficiently and effectively to maximize the value of every tax dollar spent, I would establish accountability measures including internal controls, addressing each specific issue raised in annual audits, and thorough evaluations of all financial managers. I would make sure that the process for arriving at the use of funds includes key stakeholders including voters, community members, and parents. I would bring the report of the findings on the wise and fair use of local funds to the community through regular public meetings, through publication of the report on the district website, and through committee and trustee meetings open to the public.

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

With five of the ten schools in Trustee Area 4 suffering from declining API (Academic Performance Index) scores, it is clear that pedagogy can be improved in the SJUSD. The skills needed for student success include not only the core competency and STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic), but also critical thinking and social skills. Instruction targeted to developing the whole child is immensely important to me so that children can not only navigate school, but also life, being all that they can be. With a highly diverse student body in the SJUSD, it is important to employ and adapt teaching strategies that connect with students from different backgrounds. As a college educator on topics of diversity, inclusion, and nondiscrimination for over the past 14 years, appropriate instructional and interpersonal techniques to meet the diverse educational abilities of all the students will be a priority for me. This can be partially accomplished through professional development and training opportunities for our teachers and staff. Otherwise, we cannot close the gaping achievement gap or prepare students adequately for college-level instruction - right now about two thirds of graduating seniors are underprepared for college courses.

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

I want SJUSD to be a leader in academic excellence five years from now, with all students achieving at a higher rate than they do now. While core competency and STEM skills, critical thinking, and social skills are vital to our student success, I want every child to have access to extracurricular activities so that they can fully develop as human beings. In order to get there, the District needs to focus laser-like attention on language and STEM competencies, extend the school day as much as possible for improved academic support and safety, enhance extracurricular offerings, and assure that staff and teachers receive the professional training to assure that every local school can attain the academic excellence that every child deserves.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 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: November 1, 2014 21:03
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