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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) Because property taxes fund school systems there will always be a source of funding. If property tax is eliminated, fair and adequate funding for all districts must be provided. However, when population declines, the school board is then faced with cutting services or raising taxes. Knowing that most of the low performing schools, especially in Western PA, are in poor areas, more funding must find its way to those areas. A legislative program that identifies those schools and directs adequate funding would be appropriate. 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) Since NCLB is a federal program, those schools which are lower performing, which are typically in poorer areas, should receive a larger portion of federal funds. Mandating a program, without funding it, places local school boards in a no win situation. Legislative leaders should be actively involved with their school boards, principals, and teachers to identify what federal funds are needed and present that information to our congressman and senators. Where federal funds are unavailable, state funds should be provided. 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) Those districts that are lower achieving should be given state program funds such as: head start, tutoring after school, and after school programs that give the children an activity when one or both parents may still be working. Teachers and staff should be actively involved in deciding what the individual school needs. Individual schools should decide where their funds are needed and where they will be best utilized. 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 fund full day kindergarten programs, primarily to those districts that do not currently offer it. All districts should have the ability to offer full day programs, given that they have been extremely successful. Pre-K programs should be included in this process. 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) All children regardless of financial ability should have access to high quality education. This should begin with pre-K programs and continue through higher education. Early education programs should be fully funded and available. Higher education funding and loans should be offered to all students who need it. Those who graduate high school and seek higher education should have access to low interest state grants and loans. Currently, about 26% of PA residents have bachelor degrees. We should be dedicated to raising this number. Students that remain in state should qualify for additional funds. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I believe special education should be fully funded by the federal government. Federal programs that mandate achievement (NCLB) should provide all of the funds needed to achieve those goals. All schools should have adequate funding and the distribution of these funds overseen by local school boards, principals, and teachers. Teachers and principals have always monitored student performance, and their expertise should be used to determine how best to improve student achievement at their schools.
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