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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) Property taxation is a very stable way to receive revenue for the schools. However, those on fixed incomes become burdened by a system of taxation which demands more from them without any direct benefit derived. I believe that in absence of the total elimination of property taxation for school financing that property tax rates should be frozen for senior citizens. The school should be financed by sales tax. Real reform would have the state paying the full cost of instructional costs. 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) By providing local districts adequate funds to meet the added costs resultant from the mandate. Actually I believe that a better way is needed to judge math proficiency. Currently students are tested on items they have not been taught yet and are essentially taught for the test which is wrong. I prefer having a separate math proficiency given for each math course given as a final exam. 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) Any state mandate to the school districts must receive full state funding. Teachers must receive development training to assess students in need. Students must be motivated to achieve because if not motivated they won't achieve and these gaps will continue. 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) It wasn't mandatory for me as a student to be placed in such programs and it is not mandatory now. Students from low income families and groups judged to be at risk should be encouraged to attend these programs in the hope of kick starting motivation in students for higher performance. 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) Students in Pennsylvania should have the opportunity to avail themselves of the tools which would increase their skills in technology, math, science and the humanities, regardless of what school they attend or state in life they may find themselves. In the ideal world all schools would be of the same quality. But we live in a world that is not ideal. Therefore a system should be developed to allow schools to become better through competition academically. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) Some say that a voucher system is needed to improve education in PA. That is, weak schools would have to improve if they want to continue to exist. My belief actually is that the local tax base should be only reasonable for maintenance of school buildings, instructional supplies, sports activities, and school construction when necessary, normal instructional cost should be a state tax law responsibility.
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