League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Alameda County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues School Director; Oakland Unified School District; Trustee Area 7

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Oakland and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on , , , Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. (Teacher recruitment and retention) What should be done to support the recruitment and retention of qualified and experienced teachers in Oakland public schools? Answer from Alice A. Spearman: OUSD needs to continue to invest in recruiting local educators as well as recruiting well experienced educators familiar with urban school districts. I have and will continue to support the efforts of the school district in their recruitment practices. 2. (Training for skilled trades careers) Not all Oakland students will opt to go to college or a university after high school. How will you use your position as a School Board Member to support training for careers in the skilled trades? Answer from Alice A. Spearman: I am currently working with all trade unions to support OUSD Linked Learning program which will bring apprenticeship programs back into the school culture. It is imperative that the district moves quicly in providing needed training to those students qwho want to participate in the programs. Our Local Unions and Community Colleges are working in partnership to increase student participation. 3. (Disparities among ethnic groups) What specifically can and should be done about the disparity of academic achievement among various ethnic groups in Oakland, and what can and will you do as a school board member to address these disparities? Answer from Alice A. Spearman: Oakland Unified has recognized that making this issue a priority. With my support, OUSD has embarked on the first in the nation an African American Male Acheivement Initiative where there is a focus on the achievement of African Americqan Males. OUSD also has entered into a Voluntary Resolution with the Office of Civil Rights to abate the dissaportionate numbeer of suspensions for African Aamerican Children. It is my priority to ensure funding is avilable for staff development and parent intervention programs. 4. (Criteria for approvals and closures) Do you support the opening of new Charter Schools at a time when traditional public schools are being closed or threatened with closure? What criteria should be used in deciding what schools should be closed and which new ones be approved? Answer from Alice A. Spearman: I did not vote to close any school. Charter School are school of Choice. According to the Charter Law, Charter Schools should be Innovative and bring a different structure to the focus of academic achievement of children. I vote with an open mind, if proposed Charters demonstrate that they are taking a different approach to academic achievemenet, I will vote for the charter, if not I will not. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are presented as submitted. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.