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Do you support federally funded public education? Please explain why you do or why you don’t support it. Yes I do support federal funds for public schools. It shows that the government is taking an interest in its citizens and offers them a good base to grow from as they move on to higher education. This allows people to be more competitive nationally and internationally. Government, however, cannot be the only source; citizens need to take some financial responsibility for themselves. In your own words can you tell us what’s wrong or right with the Eden Prairie School Board plan to “balance out crowded schools, flatten socio-economic differences, and make room for a sixth elementary school?” Crowded class rooms are tough on everyone form the teachers to the students. Smaller classes help the kids that might otherwise slip through cracks get the attention the need and deserve. As for flattening the “socio-economic differences”, no kid wants the stigma of being form the “poor” school, it does affect future relationships. Here is a URL to an article from a January 2011 Integration Report from the National Coalition on School Diversity which shows the depth of what appears to be a national trend to turn the clock back on integration. Do you support integration of public schools? Yes I believe in economically fair and balanced integration. I will say that making the best use of tax payer dollars should be a top priority when considering this, moving kids and causing financial hardship on the district is not something I am for. Do you support anti-bullying state legislation? Tell us why or why not. 100%! All children, no matter their background or interests, should be allowed to learn in a safe and comfortable atmosphere free from ridicule. Some are able to cope with the torment they receive others, take their own lives. Bullies need to be held accountable for their actions. Do you agree with the Hennepin County decision to take a neutral position toward GLBT students? No, I do not agree with the neutral policy when it comes to being bullied in school. All students should be treated equally; I see no problems with LGBT students creating clubs or school organizations the same as any other student would. Do you support federal public funding going to religious/ private schools, i.e. voucher programs? No, public funds should not be used for private education. Would you support teaching Creationism in Eden Prairie Public Schools? Explain why or why not. I grew up Lutheran going to church on Sundays and Wednesday evenings, I believe this gave me a great Christian base to build off of and see no need to teach creationism in public schools. My family’s faith is not weaker because we did not learn about God in public school. Besides there are many children of different faiths attending public schools, how would you decide which one to teach? Please tell us about your educational vision for our schools? My educational vision for Eden Prairie Schools is to keep on the path it is on now, functioning as one of the best school districts in the State and Country. Give us an example of how you would implement one of the eight conditions of the National School Board’s Million Voices project. Heroes and Leadership are two of the conditions I think Eden Prairie Schools are in a great position to take advantage of. Creating programs for the 5th and 6th graders to be looked on as the leaders of their new educational homes. This gives younger students something to aspire to. I am not sure what types of programming specifically; it would have to be a team effort with teachers, parents, administrators and board members.
The Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations (QISA) has identified 8 Conditions that need to be in place if students are to strive for, and fulfill, their academic, personal, and social promise. Based on more than two decades of research, these Conditions help schools live out the Three Guiding Principles of Aspirations work: Self-Worth, Active Engagement, and Purpose.
Do you believe 'Test and punish' is the way to educate children or evaluate schools? Test and reward is the way it should be, reward the top performing schools and students and offer help to under achieving students. Test and punish policies haven’t proven to work. |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 September 2011 00:41 |
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Derek Gunderson for Eden Prairie School Board Q & A
Tuesday, 20 September 2011 23:28
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