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for 2004 Pennsylvania General 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) Pennsylvania's school funding system has strength only in affluent districts, and is weak elsewhere. The system is inefficient, therefore unconstitutional, because of the monopolies imposed by regimented districts. The Legislature should eliminate the taxing authority of school districts, repeal the residency attendance mandate, and partially fund all schools from statewide tax revenue. Remaining funds will come from user fees and tuition. 2. How should the Pennsylvania Legislature assist school districts to meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act 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" toward that goal? (75 words or less) The Pennsylvania Legislature should direct the schools to ignore all federal mandates imposed upon them, since the federal government has no constitutional authority to impose any such regulations. The Legislature should file a class action lawsuit against the federal government for relief from such regulation. Pennsylvania can channel the expertise of its best performing schools into all other by means of statewide conferences and seminars for teachers and administrators, to achieve better than "adequate yearly progress." 3. How should the Pennsylvania Legislature assist school districts to close the academic achievement gap that exists among groups of students in schools and school districts across the Commonwealth? (75 words or less) I would want to analyze documentation of the "achievement gap" in question. Each child is different, with unique abilities. By nature, some will achieve more than others. You cannot change this. Funding reforms described in answer (1) will more evenly balance operating revenues, which can attract better teachers to formerly underfunded schools. Schools must be free to hire and fire teachers based on merit and performance. 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 Legislature should do nothing regarding pre-K and kindergarten programs. It is the parents responsibility to ensure that their children arrive in first grade with a willingness and ability to learn, and sufficient mental discipline to behave and participate in class. Parents who fail this responsibility should pay for any and all consequences of their failure, so as to not unduly burden those parents who have fulfilled their responsibility. 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 in Pennsylvania should have the opportunity to attend a clean and disciplined school, staffed with competent teachers and administrators. My responses to questions (1) through (4) are a good start in achieving this goal. Public schools need to emulate the successful business model of the more cost efficient private schools, many of which deliver competent, college and trade prepared graduates, at lower cost than many public schools.
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