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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) One thing we can certainly improve on is in defining an "adequate education," Once this is determined, we can conclude how to better distribute fund to school districts. Regarding the strengths of our educational funding system, I believe our current formula acknowledges all the critical components of district funding including; district size, growth, and strength of economy, and steers appropriations to those areas. 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 Accountability (Block) Grant program, allows districts to target funds to specific programs of their choice that meet district and student needs. This level of funding to the tune of $200 million is unprecedented. This will help local school districts to help students achieve academic proficiency. Additionally, $19 million in tutoring funds will allow the lowest-performing students in Pennsylvania to receive the extra assistance should they need it to succeed. 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) It is critical that we have the assurance of the Pennsylvania System of State Assessment test as a reliable and accurate measurement of identifying student achievement. The Block Grants as mentioned above provide sufficient funding for our struggling districts to "close the gap" among them. Tutoring grants like the Educational Assistance Program and Classroom Plus enables districts to help the neediest students overcome the achievement gap with their peers. 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) There are a number of options available to local school districts under the Pennsylvania Accountability Grant Program. This program allows the use of funds to implement or expand pre-kindergarten programs and full-day kindergarten program. We have also approved state funding to supplement the federal Head Start program, one of the most significant early childhood development programs in Pennsylvania. State funding along with local flexibility should provide the increased access to such programs. 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) It is of utmost importance that every student in Pennsylvania receives access to an adequate public education that properly prepares him or her for the future. As mentioned above, once we define adequacy, the Legislature must then connect state appropriations to implementation of an adequate public education for all students. I have supported an education appropriation that establishes the foundation to fund public education based upon adequacy of funding.
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