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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) A strength for Pennsylvania is that the Constitution speaks directly to the Commonwealth's responsibility to provide maintenance and support to its public schools (Article III Section 14). The weakness of the system is a flat percentage increase over the years in funding that did not keep pace with the cost of operations and property tax that was used to make up the difference. Legislature should determine the cost to meet federal/state mandates, revisit the funding formula and reform use of property tax. 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) I believe that state and federal mandates must be funded. When these mandates are not funded the burden then falls on the local district. The district's ability to meet the mandates is determined by its wealth. What should the Legislature do- it should provide funding for the mandate that affords every child in the Commonwealth a comparable program. 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) One solution may be funds available through a grant for District initiated programs. The District would analyze the test data between the groups, determine the reason for the differences, design a program and then apply for the grant. 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) The Legislature should make funds available to districts in impoverished areas for early childhood programs. A K-4 half day program that feeds into an all day K-5 program, perhaps in the same school, would be most beneficial to the development of the District's four and five year olds. Ideally, day care in the school would give the children access to quality programs that much earlier in life. 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) In order to relieve the increasing financial burden on property owners in the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth, with the coordinated efforts of the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the State Board of Education, must recommit itself to funding its public schools adequately so that all children in the Commonwealth are afforded comparable opportunities for success beyond high school--higher education, the world of work, or a career in the military. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I will be a spokesman and advocate for public education. Thomas Jefferson recognized almost two hundred years ago that an educated electorate is required if a Democracy is to function properly. It is as true now as it was then.
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