Conducted by the Pennsylvania Education Funding Advocacy Group for 2006 Pennsylvania Primary Election Legislative Candidates Name: Karen Boback Candidate for: State Representative Party: Republican District: 117 (Luzerne County) 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) STRENGTH: The state did recognize the need to increase the 2005-2006 Special Education appropriation of $953,064,000 by 4 percent ($38,123,000) to $991,187,000. WEAKNESS: The statewide education finance system must be established and maintained based upon principles of adequacy and equity for ALL STUDENTS not just those with special needs. 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) The legislature should assist districts by developing and administering state policies that ensure the requirements of the regulations are fair for all students and districts. Also, it is imperative that classroom teachers be considered an integral part of the decision making process with regard to PSSA test design and administration. 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) The Pennsylvania Legislature should assist school districts in closing the academic achievement gabs by: Ensuring that all state and federal mandated programs are funded for the life of the program(s). Mandating smaller class size - particularly in the primary grades. 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) Early childhood education is vital to our youngest citizens. Successfully run pre-school programs should be rewarded for their efforts, not penalized with budget cuts. Full day kindergarten programs should be mandated. Early intervention programs for children 3-5 who have disabilities or developmental delays must be subsidized by state and federal grants. 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) My vision is not what opportunity SHOULD be available to every child; I see what IS available to every child. I have been a public school employee for thirty-three years. I see public education as the Great Equalizer. It offers wonderful opportunities to all children in Pennsylvania. With the right guidance from the State Department of Education, the State Legislature will continue to enact programs that reflect the changes in society as well as address social concerns. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) Without question, highly qualified educators in the legislature would serve to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system. Survey Homepage | Candidates By District | Alphabetical Index (Senate Candidates)