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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA May 19, 2015 Election
Smart Voter

Lydia A. Gutiérrez
Answers Questions

Candidate for
Board Member; Los Angeles Unified School District; District 7

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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.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What is the single most important issue facing LAUSD today? As a Board Member, what would you do to deal with it?

The single most important issue facing LAUSD is Academic failure.

Review of the High School Academic Performance Index (API 2013 year) of District 7 reveals that it is one of the lowest-performing districts. The feeder elementary and middle schools have poor academic scores. Review of their statistics showed they were generally similar except the percentage of gifted children. The breakdown at the high school level is as follows (ranking is 1 to 10 with 1 being lowest and 10 highest):

There needs to be academic review at the primary grade level. There is a cause and effect relationship here. There has to be a realistic review of standards, curriculum, teaching methods, teacher qualifications and support to know what is happening in the classroom. It is wrong to put the full blame on the classroom teacher when there are many factors that play a major role on how children academically learn and perform.

Once reviewed, a 5-year strategic plan must be put in place and the Board and Superintendent must be fully committed to the academic success of our students. A great of deal of finances have been wasted on lofty ideas like MiSiS, iPads, and overpriced consultants.

2. What is the role of the Board, and what is the role of the Superintendent? How should they interact?

Role of the Board:

The local school board is a critical public link to public schools. Whether elected or appointed, school board members serve their communities in several important ways:

Board Members' Responsibilities:

Role of the Superintendent:

Superintendent's Responsibilities:

Both Are Important: They work to provide checks, balances and accountability in the governance of the school system. How It Works: The superintendent, who is appointed by the school board, often submits requests to the board, which can then decide to approve the superintendent's plans by a majority vote. For additional accountability, the school board itself is usually elected by the public. School Board Meetings:

3. What are your criteria for an effective teacher evaluation plan?

The criteria for an effective teacher evaluation plan first starts with a review of realistic goals and expectations. Teachers must be given achievable standards and age-appropriate curriculum, must be trained in proven teaching methods and the subject area being reviewed, and must have the support staff for the everyday operation. If these things are not in place, it is like demanding all the students to climb up to the top on a broken ladder when few, if any, will be able to make it.

Good Guidelines for Teacher Evaluation Criteria:


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: March 23, 2015 15:28
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