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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 strength of our educational funding system lies in our current formula. It recognizes critical components of district funding and targets appropriations to these areas. It is noteworthy that the largest amounts of new money are directed to the Commonwealth's poorer school districts. The challenge ahead for this Legislature is to identify what constitutes an "adequate education" and to appropriate money to districts accordingly. 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 Legislature can most effectively assist our school districts in meeting the requirements of NCLB by continuing the Accountability Block Grant program, the Head Start supplement and Educational Assistance grants. I support increasing the funding to these 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) Using the PSSA test as a reliable and valid measurement of identifying student achievement is a critical first step. The Block Grant and tutoring grants enable districts to help the neediest students overcome the achievement gap with their peers. 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) The Pennsylvania Accountability Grant program allows districts to use the funds to implement or expand prekindergarten programs and full day kindergarten programs. The Legislature also provided additional state funding for the federal Head Start program. State funding with local flexibility should provide increased access to such 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 Pennsylvania student deserves access to an adequate public education that properly prepares him/her for future success. The Legislature must tie state appropriations to implementation of an adequate public education for all students. We should consider using "costing out" as a means of determining the correct level of support for education in Pennsylvania. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I think it is critical that administrators and teachers receive the training they need to be strong leaders and role models for our children. We need to ensure that Pennsylvania has the best teachers that we can possibly have.
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