Questions for Minneapolis School Board candidates

The following list of questions was posed to all 11 candidates for Minneapolis School Board by Don Fraser of the Achievement Gap Committee. 

See the responses posted here!

Candidate questionnaire:

1.      The Minneapolis Public Schools have struggled for some time to raise the achievement of low-income students and students of color. 

a.      What in your opinion are the most important factors in raising student achievement?

b.      What measures should the school board take to improve student outcomes?

c.       If the school board follows your suggestions, how soon would you expect to see significant results?

2.      Some people are concerned that focusing on academic achievement for low-income students may lead to insufficient attention being paid to the needs of average and higher performing students. How do you respond to that concern?

3.      It has been suggested that certain provisions of the teachers' contract make more difficult the staffing of schools adequate to meet the needs of all students.  What is your view?

4.      One idea to improve student outcomes is to have a longer school day or a longer school year.  Do you favor increasing learning time for students, and if so, how would you like to see that happen?

5.      Early childhood education is often offered as an important strategy for addressing the achievement gap.

 a.      What are your views on investing in early childhood education?

b.      How can there be better alignment between pre-k programs and the K-12 system?

6.      Some people suggest we need more flexible or innovative models of delivering education.

a.      Do you favor or oppose charter schools?

b.      What should the relationship be between the charter schools and MPS?

c.       Do you favor or oppose self-governed (teacher-led) schools? 

 7.      A group of Northside residents have formed a Northside Achievement Zone, aiming to replicate some of the outcomes experienced by the Harlem Children’s Zone in New York.

a.      How should the School Board respond?

b.      Is it appropriate for the School Board to make special efforts or investments in a particular portion of the city?

8.      With 65% students of color, the Minneapolis Public Schools face significant challenges with regard to integration. Some people prioritize integration efforts, while others argue that that it is more important to improve the quality of schools in low income neighborhoods. What is your opinion on this? Do you favor efforts to increase integration in the city schools?   If yes, what steps would you take to make that happen?

9.      Improving governance of our public schools is a big topic of discussion.

a.      What in your opinion are the main governance challenges for public education?

b.      Are there different governance models that you believe are worth exploring?

c.       The Governor has recommended that the Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts be managed by the cities’ mayors. What is your opinion of this recommendation?

10.  Your role in the school board

a.      How do you define the role of a school board member?

b.      How much time each week do you expect to spend on school related matters?  

11.  Finally, what does success in the Minneapolis Public Schools look like to you.