Juan Villao

Education The third initiative I would like to emphasize as a School Board Member is the need to sponsor and establish an Alternative Education program for students who are at-risk of dropping or aging out of the traditional 4-year high school program. Due to life circumstances, some students are unable to complete the required courses on time. I would like for Anne Arundel County to establish a High School GED Option program for students in these conditions without having to withdraw from their high school and still be able to graduate on time with their cohort. A GED Option program for students at risk will help improve the graduation rate in our high schools. Education The second initiative I would like to share with the Board of Education is the need to provide effective and efficient instructional services to our AACPS students who are incarcerated. I have a background in correctional education. Students who are incarcerated are only a couple of credits away from meeting graduation requirements. The Board of Education can work closely with the County Council to address this matter. I want to make sure all of our students who are incarcerated are provided the services they need to not only obtain the courses they need to graduate from high school, but are also ready to re-enter society, overcome challenges, and become productive and responsible citizens. As Frederick Douglass stated, "it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." Education I would like for Anne Arundel County Public Schools to work closely with Anne Arundel Community College to address the educational needs of our ELD parents and families especially in regards to acquiring English as a Second Language and obtaining a Maryland High School Diploma. Parents who are enrolled in an academic program have a meaningful influence on their children to work hard and be present in school. Education As a certified ELD teacher and school administrator, I want to assure that all ELD students' learning and living needs are being met in a timely manner. All AACPS students should feel welcome and included regardless of their nationality, immigration status, or language they speak at home. Every student in Anne Arundel County should be treated with the same respect and have equal access to a quality education. Students who feel welcome and included will have a higher probability of succeeding in school and in life.