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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) There are quality schools in Pa. with a variety of new and innovative programs being developed by highly qualified educators. Pa. legislature needs to seek out and capture all the federal funds available for these innovative programs. We also need to tap into the resources available through businesses in the communities to determine the educational needs of the leaders of the future. 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) Pa. has developed assessments and mandated the accountability standards in accordance with the NCLB act. Teachers work hard to motivate, educate and assess students. Perhaps we need to look at creative ways to motivate students to be more accountable for their progress…maybe expecting proficiency on the Reading and Math PSSAs before they can apply for a driver's permit. (Most schools already have eligibility requirements for students to participate in sports programs). 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) Rather than penalize the districts who are having difficulty attaining AYP, provide funds for tutoring and mentoring programs. Include provisions for training parents who need help in expecting and getting academic progress. 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) Require and fully fund preK and full-day programs with state and federal money rather than relying on property taxes and local money. 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) Locate funds and create grant programs for students who wish to attend post high school institutions but are severely limited with their financial resources. (Become creative in developing "work-for-tuition" programs). Sports scholarships are many times more financially rewarding than academic scholarships. Perhaps the legislature could work toward balancing the academic monies. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) Any major legislation that effects the daily lives of teachers & students in the classroom should be studied by teacher who are 5-10 year veterans currently in the classroom. Lawmakers have little idea of the impact of enacted laws in the classroom. And always remember that schools are NOT businesses. They nurture our future.
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