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I believe children should receive a high quality education. Parents, teachers, and school officials should be mutually committed to providing a quality education. A proper balance of several crucial ingredients are reflected in the statements below:
- Basic courses required for a high quality education include Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Composition, History, Georgraphy, Science, and Mathematics. Students should be taught patriotism, the traditions of Western Culture, and principles of democracy; a government by the people. Social programs which add unjustifiable expense or that replace basic courses should not be included in the curriculum.
- Computer literacy should play a supportive role in a high quality education. We live in a high-tech society and if schools fail to instruct students in the basics of technology, including computer competency, the schools fail to prepare students for the real world. I also acknowledge the danger of overdependence on technology.
- Public schools are accountable to parents and the public at large to produce the highest academic results, ethical values, and moral behavior possible in their students. One of the first steps to accountability is setting high academic standards that schools, students, and educators must measure up to in order to objectively evaluate just how well those standards are (or are not) being met.
- Discipline and character developmnet are essential to a quality education. School administration must take appropriate disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion of disruptive students, in order to maintain an educational environment free of drugs, alcohol, violence, or other harmful influences. Disruptive students must not be allowed to deprive their peers of a quality education.
- Teachers are entrusted with the awesome responsibility of educating future generations of Americans. Teachers deserve the support and cooperation of parents. A safe school environment is essential to the dignity and effectiveness of teachers. Appropriate professional development, adequate classroom resources, and administrative support are all necessary for teachers to educate students to their full potential.
- School board members should increase their understanding of the District's operating budget. Periodic reviews of performance to budget should be conducted with the administration and principals to ascertain areas that need attention or recognize exceptional achievement. Also, a review of sources and uses of funds needs to be conducted to ensure economic feasibility.
- Parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members should work together in a spirit of cooperation to provide the best possible education for our students. This provision should include, but not be limited to, high measurable standards of academic achievement; an environment of respect, discipline, and acceptance; well maintained buildings; promotion of research-based education reforms coupled with the relevant teacher training; sufficient supplies; and leaders who set example of integrity, honesty, decency, and morality.
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