A Maximum Impact Education for Every Student

By Bob Vu

Read Bob Vu's plan to both maintain excellence in, and improve the schools of Irvine.

First, we need to ensure that every student receives a "Maximum Impact Education." This means the best teachers, the best use of resources in both the schools and our city, and the best technology. I want the best ideas to prepare our children for the future. My slogan is "Innovation in Education."

Second, as a rocket scientist, I live innovation every day and I want to bring this approach to transform our students' education. Our children need an education that combines logic with creativity. Let's go beyond STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and move toward STEAM by integrating the "A" of Art into our curriculum.

Third, our teachers must have a high quality program of sustained staff development in order to have the skills necessary to educate the global leaders of tomorrow. These intensive training sessions must be designed with specific goals and outcomes for improving classroom performance.

Fourth, we need greater fiscal accountability that ensures every taxpayer's dollar makes a maximum impact on the classroom for teaching and learning. And we need a higher degree of transparency in all of the school board's financial decisions.

Fifth, our school board requires greater representation from the many diverse populations that make up our Irvine community. America works best when all of its many voices are heard. Our school board must make a greater effort to be sensitive to the community that is the host for the Irvine School District.

With these five goals I will seek to build stronger partnerships with our business community to gain the maximum impact of our school district's resources. As a leader who will innovate, I will also collaborate to leverage better learning experiences for students.

With this plan, I will bring people together from our many separate communities to gain a consensus that will give every student in the Irvine school district a "Maximum Impact Education."