education and nonprofit consultant, 51
"I tend to be the candidate who wants to look at research and evidence when we make decisions." — Stephan Blanford
Cites research that says there is a high correlation between good school-board operations and student achievement. Says that means the board should stick to policy, avoid micromanagement, and hold the superintendent accountable for results. Also sees board as a conduit for information to/from the community, and the people responsible for ensuring public money is well spent.
Use portables as stopgap – not ideal, but necessary.
Believes in state and district testing as a tool to compare Seattle with other districts in this state and across the nation. Hasn’t decided whether current amount of testing is too much. Agrees that MAP exams aren’t right for Seattle schools.
Give to schools where there is the most need to shrink the achievement gap, and make sure they use it in ways that research shows makes a difference.
Former King County Executive Ron Sims, the Seattle teachers union, Washington Principal of the Year Kelly Aramaki, the Metropolitan Democratic Club, the political arm of the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce, the League of Education Voters, King County Democrats, six local district Democrat groups, four state legislators including House Speaker Frank Chopp, four Seattle City Council members, two current school board members (Michael DeBell and Kay Smith-Blum), Paul Shoemaker of Social Venture Partners, Kevin Washington of Tabor 100
