Meet Andre Smith, candidate for the Chicago school board’s 6th District

Academics

About 31% of Chicago Public Schools elementary students are meeting state standards in reading, and 19% are meeting math standards. How would you approach growing reading and math achievement?^*
I would: 1. Strengthen the curriculum and align it with state standards. 2. Provide targeted professional development for teachers. 3. Implement intervention programs for struggling students. 4. Use data to tailor instructional strategies. 5. Focus on early literacy and numeracy programs. 6. Engage parents to support learning at home.

Do you support standardized testing more than once a year?
Yes. I support standardized testing more than once a year because it allows for more frequent assessments of student progress. This helps to identify areas where students need additional help sooner, enabling teachers to adjust their instruction based on up-to-date data. Ultimately, this approach can lead to more effective teaching and improved student outcomes.

Do you support requiring all schools to select from a certain curriculum authorized by the board of education?
Yes. I support requiring all schools to choose from a list of materials authorized by the board of education. This ensures consistency and quality across schools, providing all students with high-quality resources. It also streamlines the selection process and maintains educational standards.

Chicago Public Schools has consistently fallen short when it comes to serving students with disabilities. What would you do to improve special education?
I would: 1. **Increase Funding**: Allocate additional resources to enhance special education programs and support services. 2. **Enhance Training**: Provide ongoing professional development for teachers and staff on best practices for serving students with disabilities. 3. **Expand Support Services**: Ensure access to specialized services like counseling, speech therapy and individualized instruction. 4. **Engage Families**: Work closely with families to create personalized education plans and ensure their needs are met. These steps will help improve the quality of special education and better support students with disabilities.

CPS finances

In recent years, Chicago’s Board of Education has consistently raised the property tax levy to the maximum allowed by state law every year. Should the board continue to raise the levy to the maximum?
No. I believe the board should not continue to raise the tax levy to the maximum allowed by state law. Increasing property taxes can place a significant financial burden on homeowners and businesses. Additionally, there could be public resistance to higher taxes, and there may be limits to how effectively additional funds can improve outcomes if other factors are not addressed.

Do you think CPS needs more funding, or do you think the school district’s budget is bloated? How would you balance the CPS budget?^*
I believe CPS needs more funding to support students effectively. To balance the budget, we should: 1. **Evaluating Spending**: Conducting a thorough review of current expenditures to identify areas for cost-saving without compromising quality. 2. **Prioritizing Needs**: Allocating funds to high-impact areas, such as classroom resources and teacher support, while minimizing administrative costs. 3. **Exploring New Revenue Sources**: Seeking additional funding through grants, partnerships, and community support. 4. **Enhancing Efficiency**: Implementing practices to streamline operations and reduce waste. By combining these strategies, we can ensure that CPS is both well-funded and efficient in its use of resources.

School choice

Do you support the current board of education’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools and shift away from the current system of school choice with selective enrollment, magnet and charter schools?
No. I support maintaining charter schools as part of the education system. Charter schools offer unique programs and educational opportunities that can benefit a diverse range of students. They provide families with additional options and can drive innovation in education.

Given the board of education’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools, how would you balance supporting those schools without undermining the city’s selective enrollment schools and other specialized programs?^*
I would: 1. **Ensure Fair Resource Allocation**: Distribute resources equitably among all types of schools. 2. **Encourage Collaboration**: Promote sharing of best practices between different school types. 3. **Allow Flexibility**: Maintain diverse educational options to meet various student needs. 4. **Monitor and adjust**: Regularly evaluate the impact to ensure all schools are effectively supported.

The first charter school opened in Chicago in 1997 and these privately run, publicly funded schools grew in number throughout the 2000s. Today, 54,000 Chicago Public Schools students, or about 17%, attend charters and contract schools. Do you support having charter schools in CPS as an option for students?
Yes. I support having charter schools as an option for students in CPS. Charter schools provide valuable choices for families and students, offering diverse educational approaches and opportunities. They contribute to a variety of learning environments, helping to meet different needs and preferences, and can drive innovation within the education system.

Independence

If elected, how will you maintain your independence from the mayor’s office, the Chicago Teachers Union or other powerful forces shaping the school system?^*
I would: 1. **Prioritize Student Needs**: Focus decisions solely on what benefits students and their education. 2. **Transparency**: Ensure all actions and decisions are transparent and well-documented. 3. **Seek Diverse Input**: Consult a wide range of stakeholders, including parents, teachers and community members. 4. **Uphold Accountability**: Adhere to strong ethical standards and be accountable to the public. This approach ensures that decisions are made impartially and in the best interest of the students.

Police in schools

Do you support having sworn Chicago Police Department officers stationed in schools?
No. I do not support having sworn Chicago Police Department officers stationed in schools. While safety is important, having police officers on campus can alter the school environment and potentially create a more intimidating atmosphere for students. I believe in focusing on supportive measures that foster a positive and safe learning environment without the presence of law enforcement.

Busing and facilities

Last year, in an effort to prioritize transportation for students with disabilities as required by state and federal law, CPS canceled busing for general education students who attend selective enrollment and magnet schools and hasn’t found a solution to reinstate that service. Do you support busing for general education students?
Yes. I support reinstating busing for general education students, including those in charter schools, because it ensures that all students have equal access to educational opportunities. Transportation is a crucial factor in ensuring that students can attend their chosen schools, and providing this service helps to remove barriers and supports equitable access to education for all students.

About one-third of Chicago public school buildings have space for at least double the students they’re currently enrolling. Chicago officials have previously viewed under-enrolled schools as an inefficient use of limited resources — and a decade ago the city closed a record 50 schools. Do you support closing schools for low enrollment?
No. I do not support closing schools for low enrollment. Instead, we should support schools, teachers, and communities to attract and retain students. Closing schools can disrupt communities, overlook revitalization opportunities and potentially put students at risk by requiring them to cross gang territories. Addressing the root causes of low enrollment will help ensure all students have access to quality education in a safe environment.

Bilingual education

CPS has long struggled to comply with state and federal laws requiring bilingual programs at schools that enroll 20 or more students who speak a different language. The recent influx of migrant families has exacerbated the problem. What policies do you support to ensure the district is supporting bilingual students and in compliance with state and federal laws?
To ensure CPS supports bilingual students and complies with state and federal laws, I would support the following policies: 1. **Expand Bilingual Programs**: Increase the number of bilingual programs and classes to accommodate the needs of students who speak different languages. 2. **Allocate Resources**: Provide adequate funding and resources for bilingual education, including hiring qualified bilingual staff and offering relevant materials. 3. **Professional Development**: Offer training for educators on effective strategies for teaching bilingual students and managing diverse classrooms. 4. **Family Engagement**: Ensure clear communication with non-English-speaking families and involve them in their children’s education. These policies will help CPS better support bilingual students and meet legal requirements.

Top local issue

Please share one issue that’s a top concern for your community or your larger elected school board voting district.
One top concern for my community is ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students. This includes addressing disparities in funding, improving support for students with disabilities and ensuring that all schools, including neighborhood schools and specialized programs, receive the resources they need to succeed. Ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education is crucial for our community’s future.