League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Sandra "Sandy" Engel Answers Questions Candidate for Trustee; San Jose Unified School District; Trustee Area 5

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. How would you determine that the schools are using federal, state and local funds wisely and fairly and how would you report your findings to the community?

I would draw upon my extensive experience with the district budget as well as my work in the classroom and in school leadership to ensure that we are getting the most out of every dollar spent, and that any cuts are kept as far from our kids as possible. I would be honest and transparent in all my work as a trustee so that parents, teachers, and members of the community understand the challenges we face with diminished funding and the priorities that guide my decisions.

2. Are the schools offering instruction appropriate to the diverse educational abilities of all the students?

This is a difficult question to answer with a simple "Yes" or "No". With the current standards-based curriculum, it can be difficult to personalize the educational experience on a student-by-student basis. However, it should always be our goal to reach each and every child with an approach suited to their needs and abilities. There is a delicate balancing act at work here for teachers as well as administrators, but I believe technology and new approaches can help us get closer to that goal.

3. Where do you want the District to be five years from now? What steps should the District take to get there?

In five years, I hope to see the district's Opportunity 21 plan fully implemented. After many years of work and investment on the part of parents, teachers, administrators, and district staff, it would be a shame if the plan were left in a three-ring binder on the shelf. We owe it to our children + and their children + to bring our schools in line with the modern world, from the ground up.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct 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 6, 2012 06:54
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