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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 funding of public education is of great significance and essential to the long term growth and development of each and every school. The Pennsylvania Legislature must do everything in its power to positively support public education. State Representatives must work in concert to adequately fund all parts of public education. This includes normal children as well as special needs students. In addition, there must be greater support allocated for character, leadership, and business education at all levels of public education. Additional funding in the area of music and the arts should also be a high 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) The Pennsylvania Legislature should establish high standards for all students. However, the standards must be realistic and applicable to the real world. Very often standards that are created in theory are not practiced in the business world. Greater emphasis should also be placed on the character and integrity of the student. Pennsylvania Legislators must support the licensing, proficiency, and adequate compensation of our teachers. Also, additional funding for students needing extra help in the area of Reading, Mathematics, and Science should be made available during the week after school as well as on Saturday. 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) The Pennsylvania Legislature should strive to assist schools in reducing the mental pressure that goes along with the performance standards. This can be done with additional public funding that supports more creative and dynamic course presentations. Public funding supporting the use of power point and multi audiovisual class presentations should be on every State Representatives list of things to accomplish. As a child learns better when he can see the information and hear it at the same time, this is essential if we are to close the academic achievement gaps. 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) High-quality pre-K programs should be duplicated and made available for all communities. Special assistance should be given to moms from single parent homes that are working full-time jobs. Excellent courses and teacher techniques that work to develop the hearts and minds of our younger children should be documented and made available throughout the state of Pennsylvania. All Pennsylvania State Representatives should strongly support high quality 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) As a strong advocate of character and family education since 1993, my vision for public education is that all students graduate and go on to succeed in both career and family life. In addition, we should strive to support all children with high quality education. This includes excellent teachers, minimal class sizes, multi- audiovisual classroom presentations, mandatory teacher/parent meetings, field trips for a hands on approach to learning, internships for qualified and gifted students, career days that educate and motivate our children, and most of all a wide variety of courses should be made available to all students. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) To strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system, I would educate and motivate all state legislators as to the importance of public education. I would work hard to advocate for generous funding, supporting creative and genuine programs that support family life as well as a great career. Statistics prove that we have to guide our children socially as well as into the business world. As a Pennsylvania State Representative I will give 100% to the families and children of the state of Pennsylvania.
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