League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Josh Daniels Answers Questions Candidate for School Director; Berkeley Unified School District

The questions were prepared by the LWV Berkeley/Albany/Emeryville and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. The new Local Control Funding Formula moved many decisions about allocating funding from the state to the local school boards; how well has the District followed the spirit of the Formula in identifying what our children need? Would you change anything in the process of developing the Local Control (LCAP) budget for next year?

Berkeley USD's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) is considered one of the best in the state. It has received accolades from local organizations (e.g., Parents of Children of African Descent) and from statewide organizations (e.g., ACLU). I led the School Board's LCAP effort and, with other board members, ensured that there was significant community outreach and involvement in developing our LCAP and that it was properly focused on supporting our most at-risk students. The success of this LCAP provides us with a strong framework to build on for next year's annual LCAP update.

2. How well has the District done in introducing the Common Core standards and methods in classes K-12? What improvements would you recommend or do you anticipate for the coming year?

Berkeley USD has done Common Core right. We started with our educators and asked them to bring forward a Common Core plan, which they did. We then engaged in meaningful community outreach and approved the plan. While other districts around the country are struggling with Common Core, Berkeley has been able to focus on supporting our teachers and families as we all adjust to the new curricula and approach.

3. Is early childhood education being well implemented in the District? What would you recommend in this area?

Berkeley USD had been able to maintain a core early childhood education program despite years of state cutbacks. I successfully led the Board's effort to save three full-day preschool classes from budget cuts. With new money coming from the state (although still not enough), we need to strategically rebuild our program to ensure that all students have access to quality preschool.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. 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: October 16, 2014 17:20
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