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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) Unfortunately. Any perceived strength in funding Pennsylvania’s system of public education is overtaken by its weaknesses. For too long the state subsidies have not kept pace with the costs. The state has pushed its responsibilities to fund public education to the local School Directors and consequently to the local taxpayers. This neglect has now reached a breaking point. The Governor and the legislators need to assign a real priority to public education and match their commitment with equitable funding. 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) I am inclined to say that funding to provide the necessary resources is the answer. Goals, unlike fairy tales have to be realistic. It is my opinion that all the kings’ horses all the kings’ men and all of the king’s treasure will not achieve the present goal of NCLB. The answer may be to opt out of this program or at least be assured that the Federal Government provides the necessary funds. The State and the local contributions can not provide for another unfunded mandate. 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) In the Governors’ budget presentation as it relates to public education it is estimated that $9,030 per student per year is needed. The budget proposal makes a small step to close the gap between the affluent schools and the poor schools. However, until there is a drastic measure to correct this inequity by the state nothing meaningful will change. Funding to this target will not happen at the local level. We need a drastic change in funding public education. The recent attempt of tax reform by simply shifting the way taxes are collected without creating new revenue is not the answer. The new revenue from gaming, when realized will provide temporary help but is not the solution. 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) All of the reliable data indicates the merit of early intervention. Based on this information it would appear logical that the legislators would take the necessary action to make early intervention a reality. If the legislators know and accept the research then they should follow up with the necessary funding. They could initiate some type of partnership agreement with the local schools. They can mandate it. However, not without the necessary funds. 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 a perfect world every student would have equal access to the best resources and the best practices. It is a start point to adopt that philosophy. It is imperative that we value and support every student equally. We need to change the prevalent mindset and parochial attitudes concerning education. Right now it appears that we maintain the affluent districts and tolerate the poor districts separately, and all the while expect equal results. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) Educating students sounds like a simple task. Providing adequate funds, physical facilities and qualified educators are part of the formula but not the only parts. In most cases where ther is a turn around in performance of local schools it is attributed to strong leadership. The strong leader identifies the problems and attacks and eliminates the obstacles. Most educators know what is necessary, they are trained professionals. They need to allowed to create the atmosphere where learning can proceed. The superintendents and the building leaders need the support to do what need to be done. In return they need to be held accountable and rewarded for results. There is no substitute for hard work.
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