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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) Public funding insures fair and equatable distribution of public tax dollars. Its weakness is the legislature has a "track record" of not giving enough money out. 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) Back up their mandates with funding. 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) This is a very complex question because all students do not learn at the same pace. Assisting school districts thru professional training may help. 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 am a supporter of both. Start by requiring full-day programs but - the legislature must support it financially across the commonwealth. 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) Although I fundamentally agree with NCLB I strongly disagree with the method our current legislators plan to fund this education. For myself, using money from gambling is a moral issue which I will never agree with. Also, will this funding be any different from the sales tax money some 20 years ago? That tax was supposed to fund education and as yet, has never made it there! 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) After sitting on the Board at Moshannon Valley School District for 8 years - 2 full terms, I have learned not to micro manage. The people vote in the board members and if the do not represent them to their satisfaction, can vote them out. The current legislator, Camille George D-74 Houtzdale, has never set foot in a board meeting in the last 10 - 20 years, at least, so how does he know what the school needs! Answer - he doesn't. I will visit/attend all the schools in my district and surrounding districts to see first hand what works and what doesn't. Ask questions to administration and staff to know how to support them best.
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