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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 funding system is that budgeting is determined at the local school district level by individuals who have the best ability to know what our children need to receive a quality education. The weakness in our education funding system is the lack of basic education subsidies received by school districts from the state. This forces school administrators to consider raising property taxes almost every year. 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) First and foremost make sure that per-pupil spending is adequately addressed in every school district. Secondly, expansion of special education and tutoring funding to insure our children are advancing in these core subjects. 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) Underachieving schools need to be assisted with additional funding for tutoring and special education. Additionally, we need to make certain our teachers continue to advance their skills. I support state aid to teachers for national certification. 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) Continued support of the Accountability Block Grants. 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) Public education in Pennsylvania provides our children with a quality education. My vision is that every student in every school district in the Commonwealth starts his educational journey on the same foot. I will fight for basic education subsidy increases and changes in the subsidy formula to ensure this becomes a reality. 6. Is there anything else that you will do to strengthen Pennsylvania's public education system? (75 words or less) I am committed to allowing school districts to either begin their own cyber charter schools, or remove the financial liability the districts have to those students attending a cyber charter school.
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