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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) First, we should end our reliance on the property tax to fund education. It is an onerous, unfair tax which undermines support for education. Also, since it is a locally levied tax, poorer areas with lower property values can't raise enough money from the property tax to adequately fund education. I would prefer a fairer tax, levied at the state level. Specifically I support a progressive graduated income tax to replace the property tax completely. 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) NCLB is sadly turning into an unfunded mandate. Within the context of my answer to the previous question, we obviously have to try to provide adequate funding. Beyond that, I introduced a bill last session to expand eligibility for and provide money for tutors for children through grade 12. 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) Each school district should receive a "foundation budget" from the state to make sure that every child has access to the textbooks, computers, special programs, tutors, etc. that they need. Beyond that local communities should be able to raise additional revenue if they so choose to provide extra services to the children if they think such services are important. But equality in baseline funding is huge. Also, programs which encourage parental involvement would also be essential. 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) Pass Governor Rendell's original proposal to fully fund these programs. I hate to be redundant, but this is also about the availability of revenue. 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) My goals are relatively simple. Every child should get a good education, no matter where they were born and where they live. Every child should also receive a well-rounded education which includes exposure not only to the basic academic subjects, but to art, music, sports, socialization, and an opportunity to serve their community. Well-rounded education generates well-rounded responsible citizens. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) In a perfect world I would like to see larger magnet schools that straddle different neighborhoods that create some more diversity than we see in many public schools today.
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