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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) As I see it, the major weakness in funding education has been the inequity in resources among the state's 501 school districts. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has experienced difficulty in providing sufficient funding levels to overcome the wide economic difference among the districts. The promising news is that the Governor's proposed 2006-07 budget includes an unprecedented $600 million increase in education spending. This includes $517 million for basic education, a 6.4% increase from last year. The largest component of the increase is a 5% increase in the Basic Education subsidy, including foundation funding of $64 million targeted to the lowest spending districts to help them raise per pupil spending. 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) In order to assist our schools in meeting the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind mandate, Pennsylvania must ensure that there is appropriate funding and resources available to every child in each of our public schools. I have recently co-sponsored legislation calling for a "costing-out study," to determine what resources are necessary to implement certain academic standards. Pennsylvania is already making progress as we see that student achievement is on the rise. Over the past few years, the number of fifth graders meeting state standards in math has increased from 53% to 69%. Reading scores have also increased by almost 10%. I also believe that continued investment in pre-K and early childhood education is an imperative element in preparing our students to meet NCLB standards. 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) In order to assist schools to close academic achievement gaps, we need to examine funding distribution formulas and make certain that we work to provide adequate resources for those students in the poorest districts. I believe that by providing the necessary funding levels to give EVERY child in Pennsylvania access to pre-school, full-day kindergarten, smaller class size in early education, tutoring programs and increased teacher training. 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 made great strides in investment for pre-K programs last year by providing funding for Head Start and creating the $200 million Accountability Block Grant program for pre-K and other academic programs. This year, I hope that we take the Governor's lead and increase funding for Block Grants by $50 million. I also recently introduced legislation that would require school districts to provide for kindergarten. Under current law, public schools are permitted to establish kindergarten programs, but are not required to do so. 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) We need to make significant state funding investments and to promote more equal and more sufficient funding for all of our school districts. Because school districts are very dependent on local taxes, this leads to an inequitable funding system. In order to overcome such an unfair balance, we as legislators must work to develop a more sound, consistent funding formula. I am encouraged by the increases we have implemented over the last couple budget cycles, but realize that much more work is necessary to implement the most fair distribution system. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I will support education initiatives that increase student achievement, such as full day kindergarten, pre-school programs, smaller class sizes, tutoring programs, special needs programs, and more qualified teachers. On another subject relating to our educational system, I have sponsored legislation the last two sessions that would implement a last-best-offer binding arbitration process in school contract disputes as a means of ending school strikes. We have seen a troubling trend toward teacher strikes, particularly in my area of the state, over the past few years. In my opinion, such school stoppages interfere with the quality of education our students receive.
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