As a parent whose two children have gone through the public school system in Santa Clara County, I took an active role in trying to improve teaching and learning in my local district's schools.

As a volunteer, I served as board president for East Palo Alto Charter School, one of the best charter schools in Northern California.  This school has about 390 students and around 25 teachers.  We boosted children's test scores and kept the school financially healthy.

In my job at Stanford, I study school improvement.  Twin passions drive my work:

• Discovering how to help schools so that all children can learn
• Holding schools accountable for student achievement

In addition to my work advising the state and national Departments of Education, in 2003 I volunteered for five months in Iraq as a senior adviser to the Minister of Education, helping reconstruct a school system of just under 6 million students and over 390 thousand teachers.

These efforts show my deep commitment to excellence, accountability, and opportunity for all children.  Together, we can ensure that our children fulfill their potential and take advantage of opportunity in Silicon Valley and in America.

Bill Evers