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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) Our system can do more than adequately fund public education if legislators and governor will act appropriately. Education must be funded by the State at the set constitutional rate of 50% (instead of the present level of app. 35%). Also, disallow ALL education grants ("white hat money"). All monies should go directly to the public school districts in accordance to formula. 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) First of all, you've got to believe in public education and that education is the responsibility of the state and local communities. The "State" should realize the impossibility and absurdity of NCLB and take issue with the federal government meddling in state business. NBLC has become a hindrance to public education in PA. It is creating unfounded fears and doubt in our system. 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 only true way to close academic gaps is to provide a better economical situation for our communities. There is a high correlation between socioeconomics and academic success. Take the top twenty-five PSSA scoring school districts and compare their average per-cap. income to the bottom 25 scoring districts. We are loosing too many jobs in PA. Too many pockets of poverty. Five hours per day for 180 days cannot solve this problem. The blame doesn't lie with the schools. 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) We should NOT venture into other areas of educational responsibility (pre-K) until we adequately fund the areas we are now responsible for. 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) My vision of public education is to see that poor districts are not penalized by diverting their funds to private providers while exacerbating the problem for the school and community. PDE must accept the responsibility to examine the needs of our districts and to attempt to help them. The State and Federal education departments should be positioned to help schools educate students not serve as penal watchdogs. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) As legislator, I will organize a committee to devise a three year plan to get the State to fund education at the 50% mandate as per required. This would take the pressure off the local boards and place more responsibility with the legislature. I would also support legal action against the federal government as NCLB is a very costly unfunded and unproven mandate. It also crosses over the line by illegally imposing federal legislation on our State as well as local taxpayers. We have a fine system in Pennsylvania. We need to fund it!
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