Candidate Q&A: Christina F. Pullen

What makes you the best candidate?

My experiences working with diverse populations professionally and through volunteering in the schools, community and church. I am willing to listen, and able to understand the needs of others. As a parent of three in Chesapeake public schools, I will be committed to the success of the school division. I can help make a difference by providing the best education possible for every child.

What should be the school district's top priority now, and how can it be achieved?

Continue to pursue our well established standard of excellence in education despite a tough budget. We must protect funding that impacts classroom instruction and teacher salaries and benefits. In light of our predicted revenue shortfalls, it will become increasingly important to ensure that our programs are operating efficiently and to aggressively pursue alternative funding solutions such as additional federal and state educational grants.

What do you think will be the school district's most pressing issue in 10 years, and how can the board prepare for it?

The most pressing issue will be preparing our students to function effectively in a global society. Our world and our economy are constantly changing and the kind of academic and technical skills our students need are changing as well. Our schools need to go beyond the basics and provide more academic choice and opportunity so that after graduation every student is well prepared for further education, the military, or productive employment.

The new board may hire a new superintendent in the coming years – what qualities will you seek in a new leader?

I will look for a superintendent who is a successful manager and has a vision for preparing our schools for the 21st Century. I will seek someone who will not only focus on test results, but on truly educating and preparing our students to become productive citizens. The superintendent should be able to take a partnership approach to leading the school system and should promote job satisfaction for teachers, administrators, and employees.

How effective are Virginia's Standards of Learning and the national No Child Left Behind initiatives in raising student achievement?

The Standards of Learning and NCLB initiatives have helped in efforts to ensure that all students learn, but problems continue for students with a disability or language barrier. While Virginia students outperform peers nationwide, our average scores and proficiency levels have changed little since 2002. It is critical that our schools pursue initiatives designed to help students not only attain high test scores, but demonstrate the critical thinking and creative skills necessary for overall success.

What can the school board do to address the longstanding achievement gap between different groups of students?

Ensuring that every child is “ready to learn” by providing full-day kindergarten is a significant first step in closing the achievement gap before a child enters first grade. Research studies indicate that quality early childhood education programs are associated with higher long term academic achievement, fewer grade retentions, and lower drop-out rates. Providing extra help for students who need it and reducing class size are also effective ways to address the problem.