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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 major weakness is that the state does not fund public education adequately or in an equitable manner. The legislature should appropriate more monies to improve the first statement. 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) Pennsylvania should join other states in suing the federal government to repeal NCLB. NCLB is an idealistic but unrealistic 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) Give school districts the tools and monies to fund programs to assist students in need. 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) Fund a full day kindergarten program and appropriate funds for pre-K programs. 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) This has always been my vision and I work hard in the legislature to attain this goal. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) Enact impact fee legislation to help growth districts with the funding needed to address the expenses incurred.
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