Orange County Register Candidate Questionnaire

By Art Montez

By providing school districts with more flexibility in how to spend its funds and reducing unnecessary bureaucratic rules and regulations allows for more funding in the classroom. Allow for more creativity in the classroom. Our teachers know what works and what does not. Provide academic incentives to encourage continued academic excellence. Minimize the number and cost of unnecessary student testing so that schools return to "critical thinking" as opposed to "teaching to the test".

2. In Orange County, poor Latino students continue to lag behind academically compared with other student groups. What can local schools do to close that achievement gap?

Engaging and encouraging parental participation to take ownership in their child's education is essential. A strong "back to basics" academic program builds the foundation for long term academic success. Expanding pre-school and head start programs provides students with early academic success. Identifying early and providing intervention support for at-risk students, especially for English Learners, is critical. Expanding after school tutorial programs is also a key to academic success.

3. Many educators, business people and others experts say the United States is not producing enough students prepared in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). How can local schools encourage STEM education?

Providing students in elementary school with the basic fundamentals and knowledge in science, math and technology is important. A strong "back to basics" academic STEM program with expanded after school tutorial programs, builds the foundation for long term academic success.

Expanding the number of math, science and computer labs is equally important to support STEM. Providing our teachers with professional development support and substantive STEM books and materials in the classroom is critical.