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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) Pennsylvania funds public education at a level of 36%, which compares to a national average of 50%. The state legislature has shown that it is not prioritizing public education by backing away from their responsibility and shifting too much of the burden of funding directly on local school districts. 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 role of the legislature is to ensure that school districts have the tools, funding, and opportunity to bring student achievement to a high standard, where the NCLB standards should be considered a minimum in what we expect of our students. The salaries of educators are - and should remain - high, but the state should require a level of accountability from the districts. 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 current system of funding public education needs to be looked at with a critical eye. One step in the direction of closing the achievement gap is to close the inequities in funding across districts within the state. 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) No child in Pennsylvania should go without access to quality pre-K programs and full-day kindergarten programs. As a legislator, I will prioritize early childhood education as an integrated part of the greater public education system. 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) I support an amendment to the state constitution, which would state that education is a fundamental right for all children in Pennsylvania. This is a step that would renew our state's commitment to providing quality education, not merely as a service, but as a duty. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) Did not answer.
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