Alexa Malloy: Ardent Supporter of Public Education

By Alexa Malloy

A brief and general statement of my beliefs.

I am a child of public education. My mother taught at a junior college and my father was a librarian for a Cal State college. I attended public schools my entire school career, culminating in a BA in biology from CSUF, followed by a JD in law from UC Berkeley.

I believe in public education. I believe that public education holds our vast multicultural society together, by giving the majority of us, educated in the public schools, a base of knowledge, and a way of relating that knowledge interpersonally, even though our beliefs may differ. Even while we cherish the protections that let us all be as individualistic as we wish in our beliefs (if not our actions), we must also nurture and protect those institutions, like the public schools, that keep us one people.

Where multicultural societies exist without the means to communicate with each other effectively, the end result is often violence.

Let me also mention three words- Reasonableness, Fairness, and Basics. I do not embrace fads. I believe public education, to get the most good for the greatest number, should utilize tried and true reasonable methods for educating children. New methods can be wonderful after they are proved- but I require good evidence before I make a decision.

I will always evaluate any decision by asking myself if the reasonable choice is also the fair choice. Usually the reasonable choice is also the fair choice, but in those instances where it was not I would be very cautious. There are some cases where it is very difficult to find the fair choice- but as a parent of a special needs child, and a gifted child, I think I understand the competing concerns in education, and I would work to make sure that no special interest is favored over any other.

Finally because I try to be reasonable and fair, I conclude that the basics of education are of prime importance. All students must be expected to learn certain basic ideas, and we can see California moving in that direction with the new standards being implemented in the schools. While I think enrichment is wonderful, it must not come at the expense of basic skills.

In conclusion , let me say that I have spent a good portion of my life in education, being educated. Then I spent 2 years educating one of my children at home, through the home school program in Livermore. Since then I have volunteered extensively in the schools. At the moment I spend all day with my son at school, since he is mainstreaming from special day class to regular education. I am committed to the schools not only by words but by actions. And if elected I would do my very best to make our Livermore schools even better than they already are. We are lucky in Livermore to have such a wonderful field of candidates available. I have met my fellow candidates and I am very impressed. Please email me or call me if you have any specific questions about how my positions might differ from those of my fellow candidates. I will be happy to try to answer your questions..

I am not accepting money for my campaign- but I ask, if you are motivated to donate, that you donate money to your local school, or to your child, or grandchild's teacher(s). Then tell your friends what you've done. I will enjoy the benefit of your word of mouth recommendation, and our schools will get the benefit of your generous donation.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this, All the very best to you, Alexa Malloy