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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 strengths of Pennsylvania's system include a relatively strong local district base of solid teaching and administrative staffs coupled with some good school board members. Funding options outside of taxes need to be understood better by the local districts. The state's funding formula needs to be revamped and the voluntary consolidation of districts using a carrot and stick approach needs to happen for a more efficient statewide system. 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) Providing information to local districts has been a big help in achieving a more standardized approach to the problems. Project 720, the Pennsylvania Achievement Gap Effort and the High School Coaching Initiative are good examples of the appropriate use of limited resources. The legislature needs to work with the Department of Education to ensure access to these programs and funding for Pennsylvania Accountability Block Grants. 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) Again, best practices, qualified through research, are the key to accelerating today's student. Pennsylvania should do more to study success stories from across the nation and implement those practices here in the Commonwealth. Committee hearings throughout the hinterlands of this state could draw needed attention to how local districts perform. 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) Given the fact that most districts without pre-K and full day kindergarten programs want them, the problem is money. Space and staffing are the short term and long term issues. Money needs to be available from the Commonwealth in the form of low interest or no interest loans for construction. A partnership with the private sector schools also has potential. 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 must do more to give every child equal access to educational opportunities. The difference in real estate millages from around the state are incredible, a child's zip code should not determine his or her education and eventual career path. Good things are happening but equity needs to be the omnipresent issue. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) Understanding that the state and federal government must work together and that the feds have certain requirements placed on the states, Pennsylvania needs to be a leader in advocating for funding and regulatory changes that are unfair or unduly burdensome on local districts.
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