League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
	Anna E. Song Answers Questions Candidate for Member; Santa Clara County Board of Education; Trustee Area 5

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What do you see as the role of the County Board of Education in relation to local school districts and the State Department of Education?

In past years the Santa Clara County Office of Education focused primarily on providing direct services to local school districts such as teacher training, special education and alternative schools.

The current Board has set a goal to provide countywide leadership and advocacy on broader education issues in addition to delivering quality services to local districts.

Silicon Valley's high cost of living combined with statewide budget cuts have created a growing population of poor children who are at educational risk. While some school districts achieve very high test scores, other parts of the county are struggling. The State Department of Education needs to recognize we are responsible to serve many thousands of local students who are financially-challenged English learners.

The County Board of Education is committed to be a central and active voice on critical education issues by forming partnerships with local districts, public agencies, residents and the business community. I look forward to helping to broaden the County Office's role in educational leadership during my second term.

2. What should be the role of the County Board of Education with regard to charter schools?

The County Board of Education should continue to encourage local charter applicants to begin by working with the appropriate local school districts.

The County Board is responsible to provide oversight for any charter school it approves directly. However, under state law, and contrary to many people's assumptions, the Board does not have general legal authority over most locally-approved charter schools.

I support the Board providing leadership on dialogue between local school districts, parents, community members and legislators so all concerned better understand the complicated state laws on charter schools.

3. What changes, if any, would you recommend in the County's special education programs?

Special education employees need adequate support and resources to serve a challenging student population. The County Board must expand efforts to enhance federal and state funding to make sure our special education schoolteachers, nurses, support staff and administrators are not overstretched.