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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Most Important Issue,
Remedial Coursework,
Roles of Community College
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What is the single most important issue facing LACCD today? How, as Trustee, would you deal with it?
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Answer from Maria "Sokie" Quintero:
The implementation of the student success act is imperative to ensure our students will receive needed services for them to achieve their goals of either to transfer or enter the workforce. As a trustees, we need to provide financial support to our campuses to increase classes that will help students transfer and partner with businesses to provide internships for students. We need to look at our district and duplicate successful programs to meet the goals of our students.
Answer from Andra Hoffman:
Student access to classes, student success and persistence, funding and fiscal stability is a major issue for the district. From 2008 + 2013, the community colleges were bursting at the seams and during the fiscal crisis had to turn thousands of students away. Now that classes have been restored, the issue is making sure that students are receiving enough support services to be successful; A plan for increasing enrollment and retention is needed so that students achieve their goals whether that be transfer to a four year college or university, get vocational training or earn a certificate.
Answer from Francesca Vega:
Given that LACCD is the largest community college district in the nation, budget and allocation of funds across each of the campuses is the most critical challenge. As a trustee, I want to ensure that every tax payer dollar spent goes to students, as well as faculty and administration's ability to benefit all that student success encompasses. This being said, each campus has unique issues and dynamics which need to be addressed in a way that will collectively benefit all of the communities that LACCD serves. It will be by fully restoring LACCD, after years of such economically troubling times, that will make the most significant difference in the long term. Protecting effective programs and keeping student fees affordable is also a priority when looking at budgetary issues. Also, as we grow, it is imperative that the workforce that supports LACCD grows, and is thriving and being compensated accordingly.
Answer from Mark Isler:
Students coming to the community colleges who do not have the basic reading, writing and math skills necessary to successfully function in today's society. Community colleges should not have to make up for the failings of the lower grades and be remedial institutions
We can change this situation by improving our public schools and one of the key ways is by supporting school choice where parents can choose among public,charter, private or home schooling. With competition our public schools will get better and be able to better provide the basic skills necessary so the community colleges don't have to serve in this role.
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2. How would you address the level of resources now devoted to remedial classwork at our community colleges?
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Answer from Francesca Vega:
Where remediation is concerned at the community college level, I am passionate about the importance of collaborative efforts with our K-12 partners. It is critical that we build a pipeline that allows for our students to be prepared and ready to learn as they progress toward their academic and/or vocational goals. It is also necessary for adequate resources to be in place for students to be successful. Counselors and educational plans need to be in place to ensure our students are on the right path to succeed and are ready to learn.
Answer from Mark Isler:
Fewer remedial resources would be necessary if the lower grades fulfilled their role and a high school diploma confirmed that their students has mastered the basic skills.
Answer from Andra Hoffman:
Resources for basic skills and remedial math and English courses must be increased if we want close the achievement gap. Concurrent enrollment and exposure to community college coursework while students are still in high school is one way to address some of these issues.
More supportive services such as tutoring, mentoring, career counseling, childcare and financial aid are required if students are to going to succeed.
Answer from Maria "Sokie" Quintero:
The need to increase developmental courses in our district is imperative to ensure that our students have the chance to achieve their academic goals. We need to continue the concurrent enrollment with high school students so we can expose them to college and in turn this will help to alleviate the basic skills courses in the future.
In addition, we need to fund more resources for tutorial programs and career advisement to ensure students stay on track and focus on academic goals.
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3. How would you prioritize the various roles of the community college today?
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Answer from Mark Isler:
1. Learning a skill or trade
2. Giving a second chance to all those who missed out the first time.
3. Transferring to a four year college
Answer from Francesca Vega:
Each role of the community college is critical to the community and the economy of our state. Whether it be transfer to a four-year institution, career tech, apprenticeship programs, or basic skills, the community college is a game changer for students, families and the community as a whole. My priority is to see students successfully achieve their goals in a thriving, quality institution.
Answer from Maria "Sokie" Quintero:
Our community college system is a port of entry to higher education to a diverse population of students. We need to provide necessary guidance for students to identify the academic goals and provide the necessary resources to successfully accomplish their goals.
Answer from Andra Hoffman:
California Community Colleges prepare students to transfer to a four year university to earn a bachelor's degree and provide career and technical education training. Most of the state's firefighters, nurses and early childhood educators are products of the California Community College system. Community colleges change lives by admitting all students regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
