Dear Friends and
Neighbors,
Thank you for visiting my
Web site. I am very excited about running for the position of San Jose
Unified School District Trustee Area 1.
Today, a revolution is needed
in curriculum and teaching methods. We need to bring our rich heritage
of East and West into every classroom. Tomorrow, globalization will demand
we raise standards of acceptable performance in our schools - where the
contest for world leadership will be won or lost.
Throwing
money at the problem does not solve fundamental difficulties. We must rethink
our K-12 educational system. We need to compliment it with input from the
City of San Jose and the County. Our children deserve our best!
We
must confront the high drop out rate in the system estimated at over 20%.
We must acknowledge the results of our test scores from area wide standards.
A 20%
drop out rate spells disorganization not only in the ranks, but at the
top. And teaching for the standardized tests to place the school system
above its rightful place - is a disservice to both student and teachers.
Success
begins with incentive, and that incentive commands attention and potential
through choice and viable opportunity. We must, as never before, confront
the cuts in the state budget that are being passed down to the local level.
We must change the current profile of building more prisons which causes
great loss to our educational system to more positive character building
activities.
I would
start with system wide use of the Montessori System, greater reliance on
home study and charter schools for primary grades - followed up with revised
and reformed materials and methods in high school or other secondary schools.
We must expand and develop after school and pre-school programs for all
families in the district with children.
One size may not fit all
but the method and objective should unify class and custom as a ticket
for success. Please
give me a chance to serve where I will do the most good. I will deliver.
Remember to vote for Tim Fitzgerald on Tuesday, November 4th.
In closing, thank you for
time and consideration. If you have any questions, please feel free to
call me on my cell phone at 408.726.9940 or e-mail me at timkf@hotmail.com.
Sincerely,
Timothy "Tim" K. Fitzgerald
