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Sonoma County, CA November 5, 2002 Election
Smart Voter

STUDENT MOTIVATION

By James M. "Jim" Curtin

Candidate for Member; Sonoma County Board of Education; Trustee Area 1

This information is provided by the candidate
"Students are left out due to a lack of motivation. New methodologies and community involvement can fix this problem
There are new and exciting educational methodologies that can be applied and implemented to enhance student motivation. Two such methods offered for consideration are the application of differentiation strategy and multiple intelligence learning. These alone or in combination would enable a teacher to reach all children in a heterogeneous classroom. These methodologies can not be introduced overnight, however, and require careful training and facilitation of our resources. I would suggest a phased program to first train the teachers, teachers aides and educational administrators in the mechanics of these methodologies. The programs should then be partially introduced the first year in selected classes along with the acquisition of specific visual, auditory and kinesthetic equipment required. This could be expanded eventually in the second year, aiming toward a full implementation by year three.

These methodologies can not, in any case, be achieved in a 40-student classroom with a single teacher. Rather a 20-25 student classroom with one teacher complemented by 1-2 qualified aides would be necessary.

As additional motivation, I would seek the assistance of the local business community in Sonoma County. Herein we have a wealth of professional resources in the community that can be harnessed to support our educators. Professional personnel from the telecommunication/computer industry, medical professions, multi-media, local writers and artists would be welcome additions to the classroom.

Increased motivation and a positive learning environment will enable our system to reach all of the students

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ca/sn Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 25, 2002 21:11
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