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| Arthur Hu |
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| Candidate: Superintendent of Public Instruction |
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| Arthur Hu |
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| Age: 42 |
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| Residence: Kirkland |
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| Occupation: |
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Software engineer |
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| Education: |
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M.S. in electrical engineering and computer science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
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| Endorsements: No response |
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| Campaign Web site: http://www.hu4spi.com |
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| Campaign theme: Realistic standards: Basics first. |
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| 1. |
Do you support or oppose the proposal to establish charter schools in Washington state? Explain why. |
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Yes, but -- charters should be based on traditional standards, not radical reform designs. They still suffer from WASL, School To Work and other harmful accountability regulations which are stressing the system to the breaking point. They are less accountable to public without school-board control. |
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| 2. |
How would you use your office, which has no budget authority, to improve public schools? |
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Prune regulations. Informed choice, not predetermined consensus. Proven phonics, facts and arithmetic. Debate, don't mandate untried theories. WASL must match grade level, not deny diploma to above-average students or drive higher spending. High traditional standards, not improvement quotas. Master academics, not ethnic pride. English first. |
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| 3. |
Is reform needed in the financing of public schools? If so, what would you propose? |
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Move funding from state to local level. State mandates minimum funding levels but can tax excess, aid crowded or deteriorated localities that can justify why funding is insufficient to meet minimal standards. Partial credit or vouchers for private or home schooling or for beliefs inconsistent with generic public education can actually reduce spending. |
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