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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) Strength is that they give us some money - weakness - not nearly enough. Underfunded mandates are a big problem for our schools. If the state mandates they should fully fund and not burden the local tax payers. As a current school director it is a frustrating situation. As a legislator I will make this funding a priority. 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) They should give all the funding necessary for law compliance. There should be some common sense applied as well in lining up with other laws such as IDEA. 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) Fund mandates. 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) The legislature should allow local districts to decide for themselves what to establish. Programs seem to come in block grants that leave local districts in a financial struggle in the end. 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) Reading proficiency, any child who reads well and understands numerical rules can do almost anything else well. I believe we have strayed from basics in education - reading & math. I'd like the legislature to shine the light on these areas of learning & encourage districts to focus on phonics & math skills. Computer technology is great & needed. As a mom of 4 children, good education practices will be a priority. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I would love to have a conference with teachers and school directors to learn what goes on in the average classroom. What is working, what is not, and how can we make things better. Direct communication with current teachers is the best key to understanding our system. School directors who are involved in policy implementation should also be involved in the process, as well as superintendents.
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