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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 Mike Fong:
During the Great Recession, many classes were cut throughout the Los Angeles Community College District. It is critical to restore classes so that students can take the classes needed to transfer to a 4 year university or complete a training program preparing them for a career/job.
Answer from John C. Burke:
The single most important issue facing the LACCD today is the quality of instruction. As a Trustee, I will provide leadership to improve discipline knowledge and teaching skills of LACCD faculty. As budget cuts are restored the LACCD must increase professional development activities for faculty. "Conferences on Instruction " in English,Math, Science and Humanities will achieve this goal. Each Conference on Instruction will be followed by a ser7)ies of "In the Trenches Seminars" held at UCLA, USC, CSUN and other four year institutionsI'm
Answer from Joyce Burrell Garcia:
Student Success is the single most important issue facing LACCD today. As a Trustee, my commitment will be to sustain a student success agenda using the LACCD's Strategic Plan and the "Achieving the Dream" Initiative. The LACCD's participation in "Achieving the Dream" Initiative is a major step forward in education reform.
Advocate and champion President Obama's proposal to have two-years of free tuition for deserving students. Student success rates would improve dramatically and be an incentive for students to perform well.
Ensure the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act scheduled for implementation July 1,2015 is fully implemented at the LACCD. Student Success rates will improve with the introduction and implementation of this Act.
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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 Mike Fong:
It is vital to provide the academic resources including tutoring and basic skills remediation needed for students to succeed in a college environment. It is also critical to work with K-12 partners throughout the Los Angeles Community College District to ensure more of a college-going culture in the high schools so that students are better prepared to succeed.
Answer from John C. Burke:
Personnel and financial resources for remedial and special education should be increased. The "In the Trenches Seminars" proposed above will provide opportunities throughout the year for LACCD faculty to develop relationships with four year faculty and administrators. As class completion rates increase State funding will be focused on student success instead of on third week census enrollment.
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3. How would you prioritize the various roles of the community college today?
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Answer from Mike Fong:
It is important for community colleges to meet the needs of students whether their goal is to transfer to a 4 year university, obtain a credential/vocational training program leading to a job, or lifelong learning.
Answer from John C. Burke:
The role of community colleges is outlined in the 1960 State Education Master Plan. The Plan can be improved by supporting efforts to integrate vocational education with transfer education as described in 2010 State Legislation. Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification should be a requirement of all certificate and associate degree programs. Finally, the community colleges should reach out to middle school and high school students to prepare them for post-secondary success. This will require leadership, experience and commitment on the part of each Board Member as they allocate tax payer resources to support the diversity of the various roles of the community colleges.
A review of my Resume will reveal that I have thirty nine(39) years of full time experience as an instructor and administrator. For four years, I managed the District Instructional Television Program. For seventeen (17) years I was Director of the Tech Prep Program. Each year I wrote the Grant applications, met the quarterly reporting requirements, wrote the final performance reports and implemented an array of programs that motivated high school students to graduate and continue their education at a community college. For 8 years I also served as the District Curriculum Coordinator. I created the Afternoon College and the School to Career Program. Twenty-six(26) School to Career Academies graduated more than 2,000 LAUSD middle school and high school students preventing them from dropping out of school.
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
