Ed Acheson Answers Questions

Candidate for
Board Member; Forest Hills Local School District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What effect would the community (charter) schools have on the public schools in your district?

I do not believe that charter schools have impacted schools in the Forest Hills School District. I believe that the motivation to improve the quality of education in the Forest Hills School District comes from the parents and residents of the district, not from any positive pressures that charter schools may exert.

2. Evaluate the adequacy of support services, beyond state standards, presently provided for special-needs students in your district.

I do not believe that the state has adequately funded the inclusion of special needs students. I believe that additional aides are needed in the classroom to ensure that teachers have enough time to provide every student with effective instruction and individual attention.

3. Has the use of proficiency tests in your school improved the education of students?

The goal of the school district is to provide quality education so students can reach their full potential. Proficiency tests are supposed to be an indicator how well the school is doing in reaching the goal. Unfortunately, the indicator has become the goal. High proficiency scores or passing rates must not the goal. We must improve the entire education process by focusing on what goes on in the classroom, not by "teaching to the test".