Help our students reach for the stars

By Rebecca S. Hudson

Why I am a candidate and how my previous experiences guide me

I believe that reaching for the stars is still the key that will unlock the potential of our students. Today, our graduates must compete globally.

My agenda is simple. I believe that students work up or down to expectations, so the higher our expectations, the better their quality of work. I want to raise expectations for our students' achievement, keeping in mind the differing needs individual students have. I am certainly not suggesting more homework, but a higher quality of homework. We need to convince our parents to have higher expectations of their children as well, because parents have the most important influence on their children's learning.

Raising expectations for student achievement will also help our STAR and Academic Performance Index scores climb to new heights.

I want our district to hire and retain the most qualified teachers possible, to help our students reach their potential.

I will work to provide more options for students. I believe that students who can make meaningful choices about their education are more likely to be enthusiastic learners, fully engaged in their work.

I have lived in Livermore for 18 years, and I have a daughter who is a junior at Livermore High school.

I homeschooled her for a little over a year near the end of elementary school through the district's Independent Study program at Vineyard. I learned a lot about different learning styles, and was able to meet my daughter's special needs. During that time I upheld very high expectations for her learning. Over time she responded to achieve the high goals I set for her. I believe this experience is the chief driving force behind my desire to serve on the school board.

I have worked for change. When our daughters were in 8th grade, two friends and I noticed that Livermore High offered few Advanced Placement courses. I investigated other schools and learned that, indeed, Livermore High had the fewest A P courses in our area. So we started a successful community effort that lobbied for more Advanced Placement courses. Since then, AP course offerings have approximately doubled at Livermore High. Our superintendent assures me there are plans to add still more.

I have been a dedicated school volunteer. Besides room mother, dance chaperone, field trip driver, miscellaneous office jobs, etc., I edited East Avenue's newsletter. I produced a balanced publication that all the staff was proud of at a time when East was receiving negative media attention. I was able to work productively with people who were having trouble working with each other, which I believe is a desirable characteristic of a school board member.

I have worked with students of all ability levels. For a couple of years at East Avenue I coached MathCounts students who enjoyed working challenging math problems. Last year I volunteered for the intervention program at Smith Elementary. I tutored 3rd, 4th and 5th grade math students who were at risk of retention.

I understand school issues from a teacher's point of view, because I taught middle school math for a year here in Livermore. Being in the classroom opened my eyes to the reality of teachers' and students' daily lives, which is an important experience for a school board member to have had.

I have many years of experience as a Livermore school parent. I am the only candidate who both has a child enrolled in the district and who has experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

I do have the time and energy to devote my talents to the demanding work of the school board. When I take on a project, I give my whole self to it.

If elected, I will visit my cluster of schools frequently and talk with parents, faculty, and students.

I will work to involve other important city groups on our schools' behalf. The education of our children is important to everyone in the community.

I value differing opinions and concerns. I will listen to all points of view in an effort to understand and look for solutions to schools' problems. All perspectives can give clues to possible resolutions. I want the district to survey our community from time to time to be sure we are hearing from all stakeholders.

Because I am a scientist, I will gather and analyze data to make good decisions for the benefit of our students. I will keep my mind open to new information. I will not defend a position that is not supported by research.

I have learned many new things during my run for the school board. I feel that I must tell everyone around me that our school district unfairly receives less money per student from the state than other school districts, although we pay taxes at the very same rate. Specifically, we have in our general fund about $750 less than Pleasanton has per student per year and about $1000 less than Dublin has per student per year. This is approximately $10 to 14 million dollars less to work with in our budget. All of us must send our legislators in Sacramento letters, email or phone calls demanding our fair share of the state's education budget, so that we can fund our school programs properly and pay our teachers competitive wages. We must lobby for legislation that equalizes school funding across California.

Our children's learning is of the greatest importance. We must foster their love of learning. I will support higher standards to increase our students' ability in reading, writing, math, and reasoning skills.

I believe all students can be successful in reaching their goals if we encourage them to reach for the stars. My goal is that after 13 years in Livermore schools our students graduate with the critical skills they need to excel in life, whether their next step is on to college, trade school, the military, or business.

Thank you for your consideration.

Rebecca S. Hudson