Candidate for
Board Member; East Side Union High School District

Letter to the Editor + San Jose Mercury News,
October 21, 2012
Re-Elect Patricia Martinez Roach for ESUHSD Board

ESUHSD parents have the opportunity to re-elect Patricia Martinez-Roach to the ESUHSD's board. Over the years she has used her background in education and familiarity with the Education Code to support the needs of students and parents in the District.

For several years I have been a volunteer in the African American and Latino Parent groups at the District level as well as at one of the high schools. I have observed Patricia's work and value the expertise and sensitivity that she brings to the Board. Her commitment is reflected in her monthly meetings with the different ethnic parent groups and student groups to directly secure their input in regard to concerns and suggestions for improvement and involvement which she then communicates to the appropriate individuals for resolution.

A current example of her involvement was her full support for the pilot implementation of an Early Alert grade notification process recommended by the African American parent group. The process addresses a grade reporting system in which it is possible for a parent to be unaware of their student's failing grades until the report card is received which is about 2 weeks after the close of a 6 week reporting period (8 weeks). The pilot was expanded to all of the high schools for the 2012-13 school year.

A project that Patricia has brought to the Board/s attention for their action is the Syllabus/Course Outline that is given to students. Parents have long been concerned about the disparity between the weight/value given to components such as homework, quizzes and finals not only between departments within a school site but also between district schools. The disparities undermine the value of a grade.

Because of her invaluable familiarity with the District and her educational background, Patricia Martinez-Roach can cooperatively and effectively work through situations like the ones mentioned above. She is the better choice for the school board because her goal is to do what is best for the academic achievement of all students.

Socorro Reyes-McCord
2032 Paseo Olivos Court
San Jose, California 95130
408-379-7698 luquehere@gmail.com