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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 primary weakness is the disparity in the per student allocation between schools in affluent communities and those in economically depressed communities. I believe the Pennsylvania Legislature must develop a more equitable system to assure students in economically challenged school districts receive a more adequate per student allocation. Another weakness in the current system is the over reliance on property taxes. Property tax reform must be passed. 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) Funding must be provided to schools/school districts in the form of tutoring grants so that after school programs can be implemented to "ramp up" student skills and work toward proficiency. An equitable per student allocation must also be developed. 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) Provide grants for after school "academic recovery"/"ramp-up" programs. Develop a more adequate per student allocation system. 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) Provide grants, especially in economically disadvantaged school districts. 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) A Free And Public Education (FAPE) should be equitable for all students. I will work diligently to ensure that we work toward that goal. I believe that we must promote critical thinking skills and creativity. The Federal No Child Left Behind Act limits teachers ability to cultivate students in these areas. We must rethink NCLB and how it impacts our students. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I believe we must create more post high school opportunities for our graduating students. We must address the "brain drain: taking place in Pennsylvania. We must be creative in offering incentives for our best and brightest students to stay and work in Pennsylvania.
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