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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) The strength of the legislature's current funding practice is that it distributes funding to local school boards for local control. The primary weaknesses include inequities of distribution which increase disparities between districts and their ability to educate and an inadequate amount of state funding. The state must go back to a formula that considers various factors, such as student population growth and other district needs, plus funds at least half the finances for public education. 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) Pennsylvania should continue to identify, in each subject area, specific standards to be addressed by the state exams for each grade level so efforts may be focused and productive. Embracing multiple assessments to demonstrate AYP would be a step in the right direction. So would a complete revision of NCLB, but as a state legislator I would concentrate my efforts on what can be done locally so our districts are not punished into closure. 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) We must continue to push for reasonable expectations for targeted subpopulations. We must focus spending for those districts to ensure that they have the resources they need to help their students achieve. At the same time, we must attract quality teachers to those districts, and ensure the buildings are safe and secure. Any continuing gaps should be answered with assistance, not punishments nor more burdens to carry. 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 Governor's efforts to support Head Start and other quality pre-K programs are a step in the right direction. We know that learning problems, health problems, and behavioral problems can be prevented or reduced with early intervention; quality early childhood programs for families who want them for their children should be available in Pennsylvania. We must also ensure those who run the programs are properly qualified. 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) I value the power of learning to fundamentally change the direction and value of our lives. Every child should have an education that will help him reach his potential and attain his dreams. Pennsylvania's plan should include Pre-K programs, full-day kindergarten, high standards with the right tools to achieve them, realistic finance formulas, well maintained schools, state scholarships for students in the top 20% scholastically, and opportunities to use one's degrees in Pennsylvania's workforce.
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