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for 2006 Pennsylvania Primary Election Legislative Candidates
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Pennsylvania's system of funding public education? What should the Pennsylvania Legislature do, if anything, to improve the system of funding public education? (75 words or less) The funding distribution formula coupled with schools relying heavily on property taxes are the weaknesses of funding public education. Although we enacted a measure which will eventually reduce the reliance on property taxes and increase the state's share to beyond the current 35%, we need to explore other funding avenues in an effort to decrease the reliance on local revenues and remedy the school funding formula to make it more just. 2. How should the Pennsylvania Legislature assist school districts to meet the requirements of Pennsylvania's regulations for academic standards and graduation requirements as well as the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) that expects every student to demonstrate proficiencies on state assessments in reading, math and science by 2014, and for all schools to demonstrate "adequate yearly progress" (required by NCLB) toward that goal? (75 words or less) NCLB placed unfunded mandates on our state's school districts. To address this, we need to work with Congress and to obtain adequate funding for a federally implemented program. Further, we need to continue in our efforts to assist the struggling school districts by providing Accountability Block Grants, which may be used to assist or maintain adequate yearly progress. Lastly, the PDE and the U.S. Department of Education needs to cooperate and resolve problems with implementation. 3. How should the Pennsylvania Legislature assist school districts to close the academic achievement gaps that exist among groups of students in schools and school districts across the Commonwealth? (75 words or less) Accountability Block Grants are great start because they provide school districts with resources for their own specific needs. Often, these grants are used to promote and provide pre-K and full-day kindergarten programs, which benefits students throughout their academic careers. Additionally, early childhood education and ensuring that all students have access to current textbooks and technology coupled with the retention and reward of quality teachers will help close the gap. 4. What, if anything, should the Pennsylvania Legislature do to increase access for young children in Pennsylvania to high-quality pre-K programs and full-day kindergarten programs? (75 words or less) Pennsylvania should increase the availability of pre-K and full-day kindergarten programs by providing additional funding, which is being done through Accountability Block Grants, and committing more resources and assistance to programs like Head Start. Although these programs require increased funding for early education, studies show that the return on the investment is significant, which is why I continue to support providing adequate funding for such programs. 5. What is your vision of the public education opportunity that should be available to every child in Pennsylvania and what will you do to accomplish that goal? (75 words or less) Pennsylvania's children are the future of our state. Aside from the previously mentioned early education initiatives, I sincerely believe that our Commonwealth needs to make higher education and increased priority by making it more accessible by providing affordable tuition to our state schools and financial incentives for those who study in the commonwealth and stay in the commonwealth upon graduation. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less)
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