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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) The greatest strength in public education is the quality of our educators. The greatest weakness is obviously the funding system. There is too great of a reliance on local property taxes. The legislature must meet its commitment to fully funds its 50% share, and expand Accountability Block Grants. 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) Expand Accountability Block Grants to assist to schools in need of improvement. The Legislature should work with the federal government to ensure its mandates are funded. 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) Expand Accountability Block Grants to provide more flexibility to school districts while maintaining accountability. 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) Provide incentives for school districts to adopt full-day kindergarten and implement pre-k programs. 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) Every child deserves the same access to a quality education, no matter where in the commonwealth they live. With the current funding system, this is not always the case. The legislature should take action to strengthen the funding system in a way that does not put all the burden of the local property owner. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I will work to provide alternative funding measures that will lessen the reliance on local property taxes, which all to often pits the educators against the school districts.
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