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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) One of the most important issues facing the legislature is the need to attain sufficient education funding for our schools, while decreasing our heavy reliance on property taxes. Although the legislature has recently passed historic gaming legislation to achieve this goal, we must still address the current subsidy formula to ensure that all of our children have access to the same educational opportunities. 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 enactment of the NCLB has placed an unfunded mandate, not only on the schools in our state, but also on the Commonwealth. The General Assembly and the Department of Education must work with school districts to assist in meeting these requirements. All funding, including Accountability Block Grants, changes in funding formulas for school districts, and new sources of state and local revenue should be considered to help our school 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) We must reconsider how funding is attained by our school districts. With large inequities in educational funding in school districts, some find it more difficult to meet required standards. Changing state funding amounts and/or formulas and allowing school districts various alternative funding methods can assist in balancing out the inequities in the existing system. 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) I support pre-K and full day kindergarten for those families who desire to enroll their children in such programs. State Accountability Block Grants and other sources of funding should be used to give school districts the flexibility to institute these programs for interested parents. 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) Since the demands of society and the workplace are ever-changing, we must constantly adapt our educational system to meet those needs. I believe each child in the Commonwealth deserves the right to receive a basic education to prepare them for their future. This education does not end in our secondary schools, but should be made more accessible at universities, community colleges and technical colleges. I will continue to strive to meet these goals in my tenure in the General Assembly. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I believe we must strive to improve each and every facet of education in Pennsylvania. In conjunction with Governor Rendell's education initiatives, I support providing adequate school funding, early childhood education, support for struggling students, transforming our high schools, creating a job ready Pennsylvania and ensuring higher education opportunities for students.
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