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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 strengths include funding streams for Accountability Block Grants, Project 720, proposed tutoring & literacy strategies. Weaknesses are inability to secure funding in timely manner and property taxes as a primary local funding source. The Legislature should streamline its planning process of grant applications, streamline and standardize the timeline so it complements strategic planning. The Legislature needs to shift the tax burden away from property taxes. Spending controls, use of gaming revenues, PIT, EIT and sales tax shifts would improve equity of system and promote fairness. 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) Regional meeting with administrators to communicate to Legislature what method is working and what needs to be done. In order to achieve progress the identification of sub-groups in scoring results would portray a more accurate measure of where mainstream students strengths and weaknesses lie. Tutoring and basic literacy strategies in identified areas, uniform ciriculum and performance incentives for teachers would bear fruit. 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) Primarily the lack of identification of the groups along with course gaps between school districts adds to the problem. Catagorize achievement test scores and communicate information and recommendations in what needs to be done and where the need is. Comprehensive planning of cirriculum needs assessments and uniform strategic goals implementation are necessary for success. Once identified, resources need to accompany recommendations. 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) We should remove the stigma from parents who are identified as qualifying for pre-K programs. Keep parents in the loop about the program benefits and eligabilities by promoting the proven results of transitional programs enrollment and funding will increase. We need to invest now for the future. For every $1 invested we save $3 in special education costs later. 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) In order to ensure all student have the same opportunity to succeed, programs, activities and courses should not suffer because of lack of funding. We do more for students on the top and bottom of the scale but forget about the ones in the middle where a majority exists. To better serve them a uniform state-wide plan of action to monitor all programs and progress. Control spending on useless incentives and insist on more accountability for instructors and offer rewards to those who succeed. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) 75% of our budget is for salary and benefits. We need state help to control this cost. A state-wide health insurance plan for teachers could negate lower rates and institute premium cost sharing. Putting an end to unfunded mandates, demanding more accountability from professional staff, more local control, input from all stake holders and pension reforms are key. Standardizing graduation requirements, cirriculum and coursework to be uniform and consistant. Issues surrounding collective bargaining and charter school laws must be addressed.
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