Fact Check

By Lea Cuniberti-Duran

In this paper I gathered the data behind my program. I hope you'll take the time to verify it and to understand why the issues I am bringing forward will have a positive impact to our district.

Data shows that in districts with a high percentage of fully credentialed teachers, students perform more successfully. A few local examples:

REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT is rated 5 out of 10 based on State and Federal tests results for the school year 2008-09
Spending per pupil: $8,953
Teachers fully credentialed: 93%
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/district-profile/795

Compare RCSD to the following districts:

CABRILLO UNIFIED (Half Moon Bay) is rated 7 out of 10
Spending per pupil: $7,477
Teachers fully credentialed: 96%*
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/district-profile/783

SAN MATEO-FOSTER CITY is rated 7 out of 10
Spending per pupil: $7,917
Teachers fully credentialed: 99%
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/district-profile/799

MOUNTAIN VIEW is rated a 7 out of 10
Spending per pupil: $8,433
Teachers fully credentialed: 96%
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/district-profile/648

SAN FRANCISCO is rated 7 out of 10
Spending per pupil: $8,357
Teacher fully credentialed: 98%*
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/district-profile/717

MILLBRAE is rated 8 out of 10
Spending per pupil: $7,203
Teachers fully credentialed: 99%
http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/district-profile/792

Note: all districts have the same revenue model as Redwood City (Revenue-Limit)

• District that spends double or more than Redwood City in teacher support and training.

Most lower-performing schools have serious disciplinary issues. The district has addressed this problem with pull-out programs, but those can result in loss of academic instruction. In-class positive behavior intervention and support programs, have been proven to dramatically increase teaching time, learning, and math scores.

A few numbers:

Effects of Large-Scale Implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support on Student Discipline and Academic Achievement:

[...] "Implementation resulted in a reduction of 6,010 office discipline referrals and 1,032 suspensions, with middle and high schools experiencing the most benefit. These reductions helped recover 864 days of teaching, 1,701 days of learning, and 571 days of leadership. Implementation was associated with academic gains in math for the vast majority of schools who implemented with fidelity."

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We need to be smarter with our money, and make available funds work harder to benefit all students. I will work to ensure that programs implemented inside and outside the classroom are successful, via quantifiable results and cost effectiveness.

Please support my candidacy on November 3rd. Sincerely, Lea Cuniberti-Duran