As the next Member of the Orange County Board of Education, I have three goals that I would like to achieve for the student population that is served by the Department of Education.
The Orange County Department of Education mainly serves three types of students: at-risk, special education, and home school students.
I have worked with the Orange County Department of Education staff and the Orange County Performing Arts Center for the past four years researching a program called "Summer At The Center" that reaches out to the at-risk student population through arts programming. The research has shown that this programming is extremely successful, and that participating students' grade point averages rise, as does their continued participation in arts programs, after participation in "Summer At The Center." This program has also motivated the participating students to continue their education, either by finishing high school, or by going to college.
As the next Member of the Orange County Board of Education, I will continue working with the staff to develop successful programs that reach out to the at-risk student population, and encourage them to continue their education.
Educators throughout the country know that special education has become a burden on our traditional education programs. It has pulled valuable staff time, money, and resources away from our traditional students. And, while special education students deserve the best possible education, we cannot continue to run these programs as we have in the past.
As the next Member of the Orange County Board of Education, I will fight for special education reform, so every student can recieve the education and services they deserve in the appropriate learning environment.
Finally, home schooling is fast becoming the latest trend in education. The Orange County Department of Education Board of Trustees was wise to implement a successful home schooling program to address those needs several years ago. The program is academically strong for the elementary through junior high grade levels, but needs a stronger academic currciulum for the high school student population.
As the next member of the Orange County Board of Education, I will work with the Department of Education staff to develop a more rigorous high school curriculum for the home school student population in order to keep their competitive edge.
These are my goals as the next Member of the Orange County Board of Education, District 2.
Please mark your sample or absentee ballot now for me, Alexandria A. "Alex" Coronado, for the Orange County Board of Education, District 2.
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