Members of the Public Education Commission receive, review and approve or disapprove applications from charter schools that want to be chartered or renewed by the state. The Commission also may renew, suspend or revoke the charter of a state-chartered school. Term: Four years; no term limits.
Education
PhD in Electrical Engineering
Campaign Phone
505-453-1920
Occupation
Engineer
Filing County
Bernalillo
mailingaddress
PO Box 5081
mailingcity
ALBUQUERQUE
mailingzip
87185
mailingstate
NM
I know education because I have succeeded in education at all levels up to PhD, including military training and education. I educate my fellow engineers at work on a variety of topics, in formal training sessions. I am an analytical problem solver who has managed and led people, directed complex programs, and found creative solutions to various organizational and technical problems. I am a father of four grown children, all of whom attended Albuquerque Public Schools and University of New Mexico, and are now successful professionals.
First, I will maintain high standards in charter public schools. Second, I will limit the encroachment of teachers unions into charter schools. Teachers unions represent teachers, not students, and thus usually do not place priority on student outcomes. They can even get in the way of education reforms. Third, I will standardize processes at PEC so that every charter school's leaders clearly understand how their school is being evaluated.
No cap! Let there be more charter schools, as long as educational standards are upheld. Charter schools are an important alternative opportunity for students and parents who perceive that they are not well-served by their neighborhood public schools. With New Mexico's regular public schools placing last of all the states, it's necessary to have charter schools as a vibrant alternative.
State charter schools allow more options to parents and students. If parents and students are concerned about their regular public schools, the charter schools may provide them a better learning experience. Whether the concerns are about academic rigor, opportunity for specific courses and programs, campus safety, or any other concerns, state charter schools are another way for parents to find the right educational environment for their students.
The Public Education Commission must ensure that the budget submitted with each school's application for a charter must properly reflect the funding they will receive based on the public school funding formula.
Choosing the right metrics to assess a charter school is vital. If we on the commission ask the wrong questions, we will get the wrong answers. Student performance on tests such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is an objective score that tells us a lot about school quality. However, student performance on tests by itself rewards schools for having more gifted students. Student improvement is a better metric but needs a lot of careful work on the details to ensure that student progress is being captured properly.
