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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) Fund all schools equally, just like Lower Merion. You can not pick your parents. Current public funding is regressive, not progressive. The legislature should fund public education like they fund pro sports stadiums and casino campaign contributors. 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) Go back to a system where schools that score poorly get extra money until they score the state average, provide more and more extra money until they score at the state average. You can not pick your parents. 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) Base extra $ now on low scores, not on poverty level like the past system. Lower Merion knows that a large per pupil expenditure helps a lot. Lower Merion parents want $20,000/pupil/year. So why not all students? You can not pick your parents! 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) Pay for it. 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) Make it like Lower Merion. I will introduce the bill and push it as hard as I can. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) * Fire Paul Vallas * Divide Phila School District into 30 smaller districts * More athletics, band, music, orchestras * Stop wasting $ on stadiums, slots parlors, racinos, and future casinos. * Tax the wealthiest individuals and corporations more. * Work for greater racial integration. * End military schools in public schools. * Get military recruiters and of H.S.'s. * Encourage really bright students to leave after 11th grade and go to college.
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